Incarceration Law and Policy

This class provides an overview of incarceration in the U.S., with a focus on the operation of the U.S. constitution within prisons and jails.  Specific topics include prison health care, involuntary labor, freedom of speech and religion. Students will also develop investigative skills through class research projects on deaths in custody in Louisiana.  The objectives of the course are to master these particular areas of constitutional doctrine, to situate the doctrine within a particular historical context, and to further refine each student's legal reasoning and critical thinking skills. Students completing the course earn two experiential credits and one skills credit, and fulfill the Law and Poverty requirement.