Mission Statement

The Criminal Justice System is meant to protect society and deliver justice, but what happens when punishment becomes a source of profit?

In our English class, we explored the theme of the Criminal Justice System through the novels Biography of X by Catherine Lacey and Chain-Gang-All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. While Biography of X examines government control and oppression in an alternate America, Chain-Gang-All-Stars illustrates a future where incarcerated people are forced to fight for entertainment and corporate profit. Both novels challenge readers to question whether justice systems truly serve the public or those in power.

A fair Criminal Justice system should prioritize rehabilitation, accountability, and human dignity rather than financial gain. When prisons and punishment become profit-driven, vulnerable people are often exploited, inequality is reinforced, and justice is compromised. Through these novels, we argue that society must critically examine systems that benefit from incarceration and work toward reforms that value people over profit.

Questions? Contact our teacher meaghantown@gmail.com for more information about the project.