Preschool to Prison: A Documentary Highlighting the Troubling Reality of The School-to-Prison Pipeline in the US

The award-winning documentary "Preschool to Prison" highlights how children in the U.S. are unfairly funneled from schools into the criminal justice system.

NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, October 30, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The 11-time award-winning and groundbreaking documentary "Preschool to Prison" sheds light on the deeply concerning issue of how countless children in the United States are unjustly funneled from educational institutions to the criminal justice system, regardless of race, perpetuating a cycle of discrimination and oppression. The film uncovers the distressing reality that children of all racial demographics, particularly those of color and those with special needs, are disproportionately affected by this harrowing phenomenon.

In the United States, children as young as eight years old are being subjected to punitive measures, suspension, and even arrests for minor infractions that should be dealt with at school through restorative practices, counseling, and education. "Preschool to Prison" delves into the troubling practice of labeling children of color as "emotionally disturbed" or "intellectually disabled," and white children are labeled as autistic, which all serves as a pretext to push them out of the educational system and into a pipeline that leads to prison.

The documentary shows how zero-tolerance policies, designed to maintain punishment within schools, are creating a direct pathway from classrooms to jail cells, disproportionately impacting Black and brown children and white children with disabilities. Children are being suspended, restrained, and even arrested for trivial offenses. An eighth-grade student in Louisiana was once arrested for throwing candy on a school bus. By amplifying personal accounts from those directly affected by this system, the film paints a vivid picture of the generational consequences imposed by the (pre)school-to-prison pipeline on individuals, families, and society as a whole.

"We cannot ignore the devastating impact that the preschool-to-prison pipeline is having on our children, especially those from communities that are consistently devalued," said Karen "Dr. K" Baptiste, Film Director of Preschool to Prison. "Through 'Preschool to Prison,' we aim to spark a much-needed conversation about the urgent need for education reform, criminal justice reform, and to end the educational lynching perpetuating this cycle. Children can be held accountable without having to experience jail or prison for every infraction."
These stories underscore the urgency of reimagining disciplinary practices and prioritizing holistic approaches that nurture children's growth and development rather than pushing them into a cycle of criminalization.

"Preschool to Prison" serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, educators, parents, and communities to come together and demand transformative change. The film invites viewers to engage in constructive dialogue, advocate for policy reform, and work collectively to dismantle the structures and policies perpetuating the cycle of oppression and injustice.

"Preschool to Prison" is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Danterious Brown
Premiere 4wd Media Group
dante.brown@premiere4wdmediagroup.com
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube

Documentary Trailer