Registration for Beyond the Bars is LIVE!

BEYOND THE BARS: TRANSFORMING (IN)JUSTICE is the fifth annual student-driven interdisciplinary conference on mass incarceration held at Columbia University. Given the greater consciousness of mass incarceration in the US, this conference brings people from different spaces and places to dig deeper in the work of ending mass incarceration, building justice and engaging in action beyond the weekend.

The conference launches Friday night with Michelle Alexander and several other powerful guest speakers and performances. It continues into Saturday with the goal of developing an agenda for transformative change around mass incarceration.   Panelists are coming from a wide range of disciplines, experiences and locations from government and community based organizations, to advocates and activists, to students, faculty and community members and those most direclty impacted by mass incarceration including formerly incarcerated people and their families who cut across all of these. The conference concludes on Sunday with an afternoon of organizing workshops led by several grassroots groups working for change.

This year’s Beyond the Bars conference will focus on the idea of transformation.  The questions this conference will pose are: How do we work towards lasting transformative change? How do we develop a framework for changing the way our country seeks  justice that does not perpetuate the roots of the problems that have led us here? How do we create change that addresses the systemic marginalization while also addressing the need for individual accountability and the safety of our communities and our society? What is a transformative agenda for changing the way we seek justice?

Important Notes for the Sunday Organizing Workshops 

There are limited slots for each workshop and they will likely fill up quickly.  Please note that many of the workshops are targeted for specific identities, positioning and experiences.

For Students – Organizing Students to End Mass Criminalization and Incarceration (Facilitated by Students Against Mass Incarceration)

For people who are Formerly Incarcerated, their family members and those Organizing in Impacted Communities – From criminal justice to Human Justice: Organizing Strategies for Shifting Paradigm and Practice (Facilitated by the Center for NuLeadership)

For those in the Faith Community –  Grassroots Organizing: Seminarians for Justice (Facilitated by Seminarians from Union Theological Seminary)

For Faith Based Organizations – Towards Justice: Organizing for Faith Based Organizations (Facilitated by Faith in New York)

Location Information 

Important Information and FAQs

For Saturday Morning there are 180 seats for the two plenarys.  After we reach capacity there will be seats available in overflow rooms.  

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

ID is required but all ages are welcome at this event and we strongly encourage young people to attend.

Will the event be livestreamed? 

Yes.  Friday night will be livestreamed and the Saturday morning panels will also be livestreamed.  Livestreaming can be viewed here http://new.livestream.com/CenterforJusticeatCU

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please email [email protected] with any questions.