School-to-Prison Pipeline

The school-to-prison pipeline (STPP) is a term used to describe the process that pushes some youth out of school and into juvenile detention, which places them at risk of entry into adult criminal systems. The process is supported by a range of school policies and practices, as well as increased surveillance of youth in and outside of school. The STPP disproportionately affects underrepresented youth, including youth of color; youth with disabilities; undocumented youth; youth in foster care; and most recently, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth. Youth who have more than one underrepresented identity may be most vulnerable to the STPP. This entry covers school policies and practices that facilitate the STPP, who is affected, and strategies suggested to stop its continued ...