Note: Many of these resources focus on interpersonal violence. Some of the processes may more clearly align with experiences outlined under the Code of Responsibility at Davidson, rather than the Honor Code, or may fall outside of the scope of the College’s institutional response. We’ve included them because we think the values they describe and the questions they pose around community accountability are important for breaking down carceral logic more broadly. We hope they may be useful within the Davidson context, as well as encourage you to explore the work of the transformative justice movement beyond campus.
Books:
Ejeris Dixon & Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Beyond Survival: Strategies & Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement : stories that demonstrate how people have used strategies outside of the criminal justice system to respond to harm; good introduction to community accountability (CA) practices
Michel Foucault, Discipline & Punish: The Birth of the Prison: foundational text on carceral logic
Mariem Kaba & Shira Hassan, Fumbling Towards Repair: A Workbook for Community Accountability Facilitators: designed for people hoping to implement community accountability practices with a lot of great resources: facilitation tips, guiding questions, helpful definitions, and reflection questions
Ann Russo, Feminist Accountability: Disrupting Violence & Transforming Power: alternatives to the legal justice system and approaching trauma in communities
Angela Davis, Are Prisons Obsolete?: a comprehensive look into the history of prisons,the prison industrial complex, and its roots in capitalism and racism
Essays & Articles:
Jackie Wang, “Against Innocence: Race, Gender, & The Politics of Safety”: deconstructs our understanding of innocence, crime, and safety — essential reading, and part of Wang’s book Carceral Capitalism
CARA, “Taking Risks: Grassroots Community Accountability Strategies”: important layout of guiding values — focus on the accountability principles
INCITE, “Organizing for Community Accountability”: focused on CA responses to violence, but really approachable introduction to community accountability that provides tools for implementation
Mia Mingus, “Pods & Pod-Mapping Worksheet”: focuses on the importance of relationships in providing support throughout accountability practices
Philly Stands Up, “Accountability Roadmap”: lays out the messiness (and value) of accountability practices as alternatives to punishment/sanctions
Esteban Lance Kelly & Jenna Peters-Golden of Philly Stands Up, “Portrait of Praxis: An Anatomy of Accountability”: provides insight on Philly Stands Up’s (an organization that works with people who’ve caused harm) process of accountability, especially the tangles that emerge
Online Resources:
