Factually! with Adam Conover

Should Prison Be Reformed, or Abolished? with Tommie Shelby

Apr 10, 2024

01:02:40

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Philosopher and professor Tommie Shelby discusses the feasibility of abolishing prisons for a more just society, exploring historical roots, societal disparities in crime rates, and the debates between reform and abolition. They delve into international examples of humane prison systems and the practical steps needed to reshape American incarceration practices.

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Quick takeaways

Prison abolition challenges the punitive nature of incarceration, emphasizing societal roots of crime prevention.

Proposals for reform focus on due process, rehabilitation services, and collaborative efforts between reformers and abolitionists.

Incarceration's ethical scrutiny includes poverty as a driving factor, comparison to slavery, and emphasis on societal injustices.

Deep dives

Critique of the Current Incarceration System

The podcast delves into the critique of the current incarceration system, highlighting the issues of mass incarceration, disproportionate imprisonment of Black Americans, and the lack of effectiveness of rehabilitation within the system. The discussion emphasizes how prisons have become a punitive measure influenced by societal desires for vengeance, rather than providing effective solutions for crime and rehabilitation.

Introduction

4min

The Evolution of Prison Abolition

21min

Exploring Inequality, Crime, and Rehabilitation in Society

5min

Promoting a Mission-Driven Marketplace for Groceries and Home Essentials

3min

Rethinking Prison Systems: Abolition vs Reform

19min

Exploring the Possibility of a Justice Society Without Incarceration

3min

Reforming Criminal Justice System: Practical Steps

6min

Navigating the Intersection of Abolition and Reform in the Prison System

6min

The American prison system is in shambles. Rehabilitation efforts fall short, recidivism rates soar, and the numbers show that our incarceration system fails to actually make us any safer. While the notion of abolishing prisons might sound radical, entertaining its principles could help cast light on the shortcomings of our current system and steer us toward a more just society. This week, Adam sits down with Tommie Shelby, a philosopher and professor of African-American studies at Harvard, who authored The Idea of Prison Abolition. Together, they discuss the historical of prison abolition, its feasibility, and its relationship with the practicalities of prison reform. Find Tommie's book at at factuallypod.com/books

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