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Abolition in Practice: Rhetorical Strategies for a World Beyond Prisons

Francke, Joy LU (2025) UTVK03 20251
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis explores the rhetorical strategies employed by abolition-aligned groups in their pursuit of alternatives to penal punishment, with a focus on their practical implications. The paper establishes the political and historical context of the United States' relationship to incarceration, providing a foundation for the research. It then introduces a discourse analysis method to examine the strategies employed by four groups working to alleviate and provide alternatives to the current justice system. Through Abolitionist Theory, and drawing from sub-theories of Restorative Justice Theory and Critical Race Theory, the method is systematically applied to the websites and annual reports of four initiatives in New York, Massachusetts, and... (More)
This thesis explores the rhetorical strategies employed by abolition-aligned groups in their pursuit of alternatives to penal punishment, with a focus on their practical implications. The paper establishes the political and historical context of the United States' relationship to incarceration, providing a foundation for the research. It then introduces a discourse analysis method to examine the strategies employed by four groups working to alleviate and provide alternatives to the current justice system. Through Abolitionist Theory, and drawing from sub-theories of Restorative Justice Theory and Critical Race Theory, the method is systematically applied to the websites and annual reports of four initiatives in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. The research not only highlights the strategies and approaches used to establish sustainable, abolition-aligned initiatives in the Northeastern United States but also underscores the relevance of these findings in the broader field of structural violence and social reform. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Francke, Joy LU
supervisor
organization
course
UTVK03 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Incarceration, Jail, Prison, Abolition, Restorative Justice, United States
language
English
id
9193158
date added to LUP
2025-06-19 15:24:13
date last changed
2025-06-19 15:24:13
@misc{9193158,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores the rhetorical strategies employed by abolition-aligned groups in their pursuit of alternatives to penal punishment, with a focus on their practical implications. The paper establishes the political and historical context of the United States' relationship to incarceration, providing a foundation for the research. It then introduces a discourse analysis method to examine the strategies employed by four groups working to alleviate and provide alternatives to the current justice system. Through Abolitionist Theory, and drawing from sub-theories of Restorative Justice Theory and Critical Race Theory, the method is systematically applied to the websites and annual reports of four initiatives in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. The research not only highlights the strategies and approaches used to establish sustainable, abolition-aligned initiatives in the Northeastern United States but also underscores the relevance of these findings in the broader field of structural violence and social reform.}},
  author       = {{Francke, Joy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Abolition in Practice: Rhetorical Strategies for a World Beyond Prisons}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}