Student Reflections on Carceral Education
Taylor Rae Roman is a Human Rights Studies M.A. alumni and former intern and assistant director at Just Ideas. The Just Ideas program is supported by the Institute for the Study of Human Rights and brings together Columbia professors and interns to teach (and be taught by) occupants of the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), a maximum security federal prison in Brooklyn.
What drew you to the Just Ideas program?
My concentration was mass incarceration and my research was on access to outdoor recreation for incarcerated women of color in New York prisons. Having the opportunity to truly engage with those most impacted by the Prison Industrial Complex was a unique and truly incredible experience. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to spend time with and learn from those who are experiencing incarceration firsthand.
What aspect of your experience in the program was most impactful for you? What did you find challenging?
Learning alongside the students was the most impactful part of the experience for me. While we teach them about the course material, we also learn so much from their writing, stories, debates and thoughtful responses. I left every class feeling so inspired by the conversations and constantly felt like I was able to see the coursework differently. What was most challenging for me was knowing I would likely never see the students in class again and hoping they knew how much I valued the opportunity to work with them.
What gave you the best foundation for this program? How did you prepare to participate in this program?
Professor Christia Mercer is truly the most compassionate, dedicated, knowledgeable mentor on teaching inside and truly prepared me with the best foundation to succeed. I prepared by learning from previously incarcerated individuals who were once Just Ideas students in the yearly Just Ideas Workshop and through training from Professor Mercer.
What would you like others to know about working with incarcerated individuals? What advice do you have for other students interested in education in the carceral setting?
Others should know that our incarcerated students are curious, smart, engaging and creative, just like the students around us at Columbia University. My advice would be to focus on the coursework, truly give it your best effort to challenge and engage with the students in a real way, because they love learning, which is why they’ve decided to take the course. Be open minded and don’t assume you know everything. Be willing to learn, grow, change and adapt.