A few weeks before his release from prison, Jarrell Daniels took a class where incarcerated men learned alongside prosecutors. By simply sitting together and talking, they uncovered surprising truths about the criminal justice system and ideas for how real change happens. Now a scholar and activist, Daniels reflects on how collaborative education could transform the justice system and unlock solutions to social problems.

What prosecutors and incarcerated people can learn from each other

Change in the justice system happens when those with power sit down with those who have lived its harshest realities. In a groundbreaking course, incarcerated men and prosecutors learned alongside each other, uncovering stories and truths rarely heard in courtrooms. One student, fresh from Rikers Island, returned to prison as a college student, fostering mutual understanding that led to new policy ideas. Education and real conversation—not punishment—sparked growth, empathy, and hope for reform.

Real Justice Begins When Prosecutors Listen to the Incarcerated

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TED Stage Talk

Jarrell Daniels: What prosecutors and incarcerated people can learn from each other