The expanded use of zero-tolerance policies and security measures in schools has exponentially increased arrests and referrals to the juvenile courts√>=often for typical adolescent developmental behaviors and low-level misdemeanors. This is the first truly comprehensive assessment of the "school-to-prison pipeline"√>=a term that refers to the increased risk for certain individuals, disproportionately from minority and impoverished communities, to end up ensnared in the criminal justice system because of excessively punitive disciplinary policies in schools. Written by one of the foremost experts on this topic, the book examines school disciplinary policies and juvenile justice policies that contribute to the pipeline, describes its impact on targeted√>=both intentionally and unintentionally√>=children and adolescents, and recommends a more supportive and rehabilitative model that challenges the criminalization of education and punitive juvenile justice.

The book outlines effective policies, interventions, and preventative efforts that can be used to improve school climates and safety. The author includes specific recommendations for delinquency, detention, and incarceration prevention. The text incorporates a vast store of empirical knowledge from all relevant fields of study and includes research citations for more in-depth study. Case examples illuminate the plight of adolescents enmeshed in these systems along with effective interventions. The book is a vital resource for undergraduate and graduate students of social work and criminal justice as well as for juvenile court and school personnel and policymakers.

KEY FEATURES:

• Provides a comprehensive assessment of the school-to-prison pipeline
• Recommends a supportive and rehabilitative model that decriminalizes education and challenges punitive juvenile justice
• Written by one of the foremost national experts on this topic
• Identifies the major risk factors for involvement in the pipeline