Disrupting Mass Incarceration: Six Decades of Emerson Prison Education
Between the early 1950s and late 1970s, faculty members Coleman Bender and Haig der Marderosian coached the debate teams at Emerson and the Norfolk Prison Colony. While the Emerson team achieved regional and national success, the Norfolk team gained an international reputation for their intelligence and persuasive arguments.
Beginning in 2017, the Emerson Prison Initiative (EPI) seeks to democratize access to tertiary education for those who have been historically marginalized or otherwise unable to attend college due to incarceration. EPI aims to offer courses that are as similar as possible to those taught at the Boston campus, an emphasis that follows from a philosophy that education is transformative in and of itself.
The exhibit focuses on both these trailblazing endeavors, and is located in the Iwasaki Library (Walker Building, 3rd Floor). It is open to all students, faculty, and staff, and the general public may view the exhibit by emailing reference@emerson.edu.