Arkansas Committee to Examine State's Incarceration Practices, Policies

The Arkansas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will convene a series of panel discussions regarding mass incarceration in the state. The first meeting will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7, at the Holiday Inn Presidential in Little Rock. The meeting is open to the public.

Four University of Arkansas faculty members serve on the committee:

• Valerie Hunt, associate professor of political science and associate director of the Public Policy Doctoral Program.
• Cynthia Nance, dean emeritus and Nathan G. Gordon Professor in the School of Law.
• Sean Teuton, associate professor of English and director of the Indigenous Studies Program.
• Diana Gonzales Worthen, director of Project RISE in the College of Education and Health Professions.

The committee will examine the state's growing prison population and the disproportionately high incarceration rate of individuals of color, relative to the general population. The committee will consider state and local policies and practices, which may contribute to the disparities. The committee members will also seek alternative policies and practices with the demonstrated potential to address such concerns.

The committee will hear testimony from formerly incarcerated individuals, community members, advocates, academics and public officials. After all testimony has been received, the committee will issue findings and recommendations to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.