Interrupting Criminalization: Research in Action

Interrupting Criminalization: Research in Action is a new initiative of the BCRW Social Justice Institute led by Researchers in Residence Andrea J. Ritchie and Mariame Kaba, launched in fall 2018. Combining participatory research, data analysis, and systemic advocacy, Ritchie and Kaba will work in partnership with local campaigns to identify primary pathways, policing practices, charges, and points of intervention to address the growing criminalization and incarceration of women and LGBTQ people of color for public order, survival, drug, child welfare and self-defense related offenses. Research will be disseminated in accessible formats for use by organizers, advocates, policymakers, media makers, and philanthropic partners working to interrupt criminalization at the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. This initiative will also host convenings of researchers, organizers, advocates, policymakers, and philanthropic partners on key topics relating to violence and criminalization, and support partners in developing and implementing campaigns designed to interrupt criminalization of women, girls, trans and GNC people of color.

In the coming year, Interrupting Criminalization: Research in Action will:

• generate new information and data analysis on policing and prosecutorial practices driving criminalization and incarceration of survivors of violence that will inform systemic advocacy and shift narratives around women, trans & gender nonconforming people charged with violent crimes;
• train advocates to use participatory research strategies to support campaigns to free incarcerated survivors;
• disseminate information on policing and prosecutorial practices driving criminalization of women for poverty, survival, drug use and mental illness in accessible formats for use in campaigns to end pre-trial detention, close jails, and reduce criminalization and incarceration of women, trans & gender nonconforming people;
• investigate patterns and best practices for prevention of sexual violence by police officers as a contribution to ongoing legislative debates, policy reforms and narratives sparked by #MeToo and the “me too. movement.”

This initiative is entirely supported through private donations and foundation funding. For more information or to support the work of Interrupting Criminalization: Research in Action, please contact Andrea Ritchie (aritchie@barnard.edu) or Mariame Kaba (mkaba@barnard.edu).

Interrupting Criminalization is hiring! 

If you are a digital organizing, event planning, administrative and financial reporting whiz, we’d love to hear from you! Applications considered on a rolling basis, position open until filled. People of color, queer and trans people, migrants and disabled people encouraged to apply. For more information, download the job posting.

Resources

Download the Fact Sheets: What Is Driving the Mass Criminalization of Women and LGBTQ People? (PDF)

Image credit: #FreeBresha by Molly Crabapple