Explanation
The school-to-prison pipeline describes how harsh disciplinary measures, zero-tolerance policies, and increased police presence in schools contribute to higher suspension, expulsion, and arrest rates. Instead of supporting students, these practices often criminalise normal misbehaviour, disproportionately affecting youth of colour and those with learning difficulties, thereby reinforcing cycles of marginalisation and incarceration.
Theoretical Reference
Linked to critical criminology, theories of social inequality, and research on mass incarceration.