Events
Justice 101: Prison Gerrymandering
Venue Information
Event Type
Local Group Affiliation
Event Description
Statewide online AND in-person in Philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary is hosting a conversation on prison gerrymandering, a practice that distorts our democratic process and dilutes the political power of communities across the nation. In this discussion, we’ll examine how the current method of counting incarcerated people for representational purposes, often in rural, non-resident districts, allows for the manipulation of political power.
Speakers will include:
Rory Kramer, Associate Professor of Sociology at Villanova University;
Carol Kuniholm, Ph.D., co-founder and chair of Fair Districts PA;
Andrew McGinley, Vice President of External Affairs for the Committee of Seventy;
Briana Remster, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Villanova University.
Together, we will explore the history and mechanics of prison gerrymandering, highlighting how it essentially exports the population, and thus the political influence, of urban and largely minority communities to boost the political power of the primarily white, rural areas where prisons are located.
Moderated by Kerry Sautner, this conversation will feature leading voices in electoral justice and carceral reform. Together, they will unpack the true state of representative democracy when a population’s physical location misrepresents the people.
In-person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, online via Zoom or YouTube
Free with advance registration.
5:30 pm: Reception for in-person attendees
6:00 - 7:30pm: Program - in person and virtual
Find RSVP links for virtual or in-person events here.