101 Introduction to Abolition

Abolition 101 is an introductory course that explores the moral crisis of mass punishment and abolitionist responses. The lesson begins with the history of US slavery and the evolution of systems of punishment in the US carceral state. Students will learn about the underground Railroad, slave laws, fugitivity, lynching, convict leasing, segregation, the New Jim Crow, policing, and prisons. In addition, students will explore abolitionist responses and identify political and religious movements…

104 Law, Public Policy, and Abolition

104 Law, Public Policy, and Abolition explores the public policy design process and how to influence policy agendas. Participants will begin with terminology and continue to learn how to influence political decision-making and actuate change. Students will also learn the impact of degenerative policies that allocate burdens (and benefits) to target populations constructed as deviant (or advantaged). Students are invited to use resources in these lessons in connection to real-…

105 Abolition in Action

In 105 Abolition in Action, you will learn how to apply abolitionist principles, analysis, coalition-building, and transformative justice strategies to identify community-organizing actions to create abolitionist sanctuaries for social change. You will learn the difference between reform and revolution, restorative justice and transformative justice, and anti-violence and anti-prison movements. You will draw from real-life contexts and case studies to design a civic campaign or improve organi…

103 Intersectionality and Abolition

103 Intersectional and Abolition highlights the experiences of Black mothers with punishment, policing, and prisons. Students will engage statistical data and stories that uncover the interlocking systems of oppression that limit and foreclose Black mothers’ human dignity and survival. Using an intersectional approach to abolition and a case study, this lesson centers the experiences of poor Black mothers to imagine freedom futures and flourishing.

100 Abolition as Social Change Certificate Program

The Abolition as Social Change certificate program issued by Abolitionist Sanctuary trains individuals to apply a critical and intersectional lens to understand abolition as a moral directive to repair harms, restore relationships, and rebuild more just and equitable systems. We provide one approach to abolition and recognize there are several ways to do abolition in the world. Our methodology is rooted in evidence-based research, lived experiences, and the embodied knowledge of Black women. …