Anti-racist Practices in the Criminal Legal System
It is always best practice to be thoughtful about how race is discussed in a criminal justice class. The Criminal Justice Faculty, which developed an OFAR action plan, approached the topic carefully and honestly for their students.

Even with recent changes in how race-related topics are viewed, it remains essential for students to learn the truth about how the criminal justice system operates. They can’t fully understand the system without exploring how it affects different groups of people, especially in terms of race. Students in the KBCC Criminal Justice Program engaged with real data showing how people of color are often treated differently in areas like policing, sentencing, and incarceration. These conversations helped them think more critically and better understand the world around them.

This semester, several courses used anti-racist teaching practices to help students see how the system treats people differently based on race. All of the CRJ courses are OER or zero textbook cost, so students didn’t have to worry about the cost of materials. Videos and additional readings connecting race and justice in policing, courts, and corrections were made available.

All course materials were easy for them to access on phones or computers. Faculty had meaningful class discussions about how race can shape someone’s experience with the justice system. Through weekly assignments and discussions, students researched crime data. They engaged in deep conversations in class and online with their peers about how specific communities are impacted more than others. In one assignment, they reflected on how someone’s background might influence their view of the system’s fairness.

Students explored race and justice fairly and thoughtfully using facts, history, and real-life examples. Through this process, students became more informed about how race and class have historically impacted the criminal justice system.

Created by the KBCC Criminal Justice Program OFAR Team