Beyond The Bars Conference, LA 2023: CCD’s Sustainable Growth Plan Presentation
Embarking on a transformative journey, Community Capacity Developments’ Executive Director K Bain, recently had the honor of participating in the Beyond The Bars conference in LA as a guest speaker. Held in collaboration with The Center for Justice at UCLA, Bruin Underground Scholars (BUS), and the UCLA Prison Education Program (PEP), this third biannual conference, stands as a testament to the collective pursuit of higher education as a powerful force against mass incarceration.
- The Purpose of BTB LA 2023:
At the heart of BTB LA 2023 is a shared commitment to showcasing the transformative power of higher education in dismantling the barriers of mass incarceration. With the reality of California’s average recidivism rate standing at 65%, this conference serves as a rallying point to emphasize the crucial role education plays in reducing recidivism and bringing individuals back home.
The statistics provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics are stark reminders of the urgency of change. The completion of an associate’s degree drops recidivism to 13.7%, while bachelor’s degrees further reduce it to 5.6%. The most compelling statistic speaks to the transformative potential of education—0% of formerly incarcerated individuals with master’s degrees return to prison. These numbers reinforce the essence of BTB LA and CCD’s mission: education is not just a tool; it is the key to ending mass incarceration.
- CCD’s Sustainable Growth Plan (SGP):
At the core of our Executive Director’s presentation was the Sustainable Growth Plan (SGP), CCD’s tool to empower individuals. The SGP represents a pathway for sustainable change within the communities we serve. It goes beyond traditional approaches, emphasizing a holistic and long-term perspective that empowers individuals to fulfill their ambitions.
BTB LA 2023 showcased a melting pot of ideas, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to prison education, abolition, and decarceration as decolonization. CCD’s unwavering commitment with the Sustainable Growth Plan stands as a testament to our dedication to providing tangible solutions that extend beyond the conference halls and into the communities we serve.
The conference was not just a convergence of ideas but also a platform for action, where CCD’s Sustainable Growth Plan took stage in the pursuit of breaking down barriers and fostering lasting transformation. It represents a continuous commitment to empowerment, education, and the removal of obstacles hindering the path to a brighter, more equitable tomorrow. This reaffirms our dedication to advocating for higher education as a catalyst for ending mass incarceration.
