Social Work Alumna Presents Problems With Prison System

An NC State alumna presented in Talley Student Union on Monday evening “Why Prison is Personal and Political,” an event highlighting the impact of incarceration on women. The event was jointly hosted by the NC State Women’s Center and the Department of Social Work.

Miea Walker, who has a master’s degree in social work from NC State, detailed issues of the criminal justice system and how members of the Wolfpack community can take action.

“This is a full circle moment for me and very humbling and also very emotional, because this story is very personal to me, and something I am very passionate about,” Walker said. “And I would like to say that NC State really welcomed me, as someone who has a criminal record, someone who is seeking acceptance, someone who is really wanting the community to embrace them.”

Walker invited the audience to wrestle with the tension associated with discussing the criminal justice system.

“If we’re uncomfortable, if we’re feeling that tension, and we’re wrestling with this, then that’s a place where we can really have an honest conversation about this,” Walker said.

She emphasized how incarceration affects not only an individual, but how the impact can trickle through families and communities…. Read the rest of the article here