Understanding the Rise and Impact of Mass Incarceration

Historian and African American Studies professor at the University of California, Davis, Benjamin D. Weber joins us to discuss his latest book, American Purgatory: Prison Imperialism and the Rise of Mass Incarceration. Benjamin has been recognized for his teaching and multimedia work, including being named the National Council of Social Studies (NCSS) Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the United States, winning an Omni Gold Award for The Calderwood Series he hosts on PBS Learning Media, and co-directing Louisiana's contribution to the States of Incarceration national public history project. He has worked at the Vera Institute of Justice, Alternate ROOTS, the Marcus Garvey Papers Project, and as a public High School Teacher in East Los Angeles. Benjamin earned his PhD from Harvard University, and a master’s in social studies education from Brown University. American Purgatory (The New Press), a reckoning with incarceration and empire, is his first book. Tune in on Wednesday, October 11 @ 6pm EST!