Chattanooga NAACP Sets Goal to break “School to Prison Pipeline”

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV) – Can schools and law enforcement agencies change policies that would break what some call the "school to prison pipeline"?
That was the main subject of a town hall meeting sponsored by the N-double-A-C-P.
Dealing with misbehaving youth is a complex problem that jumps racial and social barriers.
But not everyone agrees on a solution.

"This is a town hall meeting …the "school to prison pipeline"….and its something we’ve got to eradicate."

The Town Hall meeting at the Whiteside Building on MLK included a panel discussion that focused on removing the stigma some students carry after a troubled school career.

DR.ELENORA WOODS "They get in trouble ..the SRO calls the police…they escort them downtown…and now they’ve got a criminal charge on their record…and it may affect them for life."

No law enforcement agencies were invited to the meeting, but Sheriff Jim Hammond tells WDEF News 12 that some of that concern might be misplaced.

SHERIFF JIM HAMMOND, HAMILTON COUNTY "Juvenile records are sealed. They do not follow you in life . Once you turn 18..or once you’ve committed an offense when a judge remands you to criminal court…yes."

The sheriff says his SRO’s only deal with criminal acts in school, and they are not hall monitors.

DR. ELENORA WOODS, PRESIDENT, CHATTANOOGA NAACP "We’re dealing with why children are having difficulties and why the suspension rate is higher for example for African Americans. In General, you know, I think a report came out …5 African American girls to one caucasian girl find themselves suspended and in the judicial system. Three African American males to one white male find themselves in the judicial system as well.

Hammond says the SRO’s are placed in schools where studies show they are needed most. And the offenders come from all parts of society.

JENNIFER PADEN, EXEC. DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY RECONCILIATION, INC "The Hamilton county juvenile court has as many young caucasian children coming through as African-Americans….and some hispanics,some Asian."

The NAACP plans to schedule other Town Hall meetings in the future.

Jennifer Paden is executive director of Community Reconciliation, Inc. That’s a non-profit group that works with troubled youth through the Juvenile Justice Center.