This is extremely worrying! Missouri seem hell bent on strengthening their school to prison pipeline (which we know adversely effects children of color) with a revised statute that went into effect on January 1st!

The Statute changes laws on punishments that can be handed out to children who get into schoolyard fights!

Prior to the change a kid could be charged with a misdemeanor and released to their parents. However kids can now head to juvenile detention and be charged with a Class E Felony and upto 4 years in jail.

The law now will require a school to report all fights, or “first degree harassment”, to the authorities if it arrises during school hours or under a school’s duristiction.

Susan Goldammer, a lawyer for the Missouri School Boards’ Association, was interviewed by Kansas City 41’s KSHB about the impact of the law. The Daily Kos published parts from that interview which can be read in details here.

It really doesn’t take a genius to know that this is an extremely terrible law change on all fronts, oh except for private prisons, for those who profit from the general repression and growth of POCs and the school to prison pipeline!

What do you think?