This is a cautionary tale that raises alarming questions about the treatment of youthful, mostly nonviolent offenders in Mississippi and elsewhere. And it calls into question the wisdom of turning over the care of these youths, some as young as 13, to private companies that exist solely to turn a profit.
As part of an effort to help teachers educate their students about the importance of being involved in their community and its power to bring positive social change, the SPLC’s Teaching Tolerance project will offer 10,000 teachers a set of free classroom posters promoting this important lesson.
Earlier this year, the Southern Poverty Law Center achieved a major milestone in its campaign to stop the rampant bullying and violence faced by LGBT students, and those students perceived to be LGBT, in school.