Identifying abolitionist alignments in community psychology: A path toward transformation

Abstract

Psychology is grounded in the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, that is, “do no harm.” Yet many have argued that psychology as a field is attached to carceral systems and ideologies that uphold the prison industrial complex (PIC), including the field of community psychology (CP). There have been recent calls in other areas of psychology to transform the discipline into an abolitionist social science, but this discourse is nascent in CP. This paper uses the semantic device of “algorithms” (e.g., conventions to guide thinking and decision‐making) to identify the areas of alignment and misalignment between abolition and CP in the service of moving us toward greater alignment. The authors propose that many in CP are already oriented to abolition because of our values and theories of empowerment, promotion, and systems change; our areas of misalignment between abolition and CP hold the potential to evolve. We conclude with proposing implications for the field of CP, including commitments to the belief that (1) the PIC cannot be reformed, and (2) abolition must be aligned with other transnational liberation efforts (e.g., decolonization).

Addressing mass incarceration amid a pandemic: Psychology informing decarceration as a racial justice and public health response.

“…There is the potential to divert people from incarceration (Epperson et al, 2021). For instance, DaViera et al (2023) suggested that psychologists engage in more emancipatory science. We encourage research to shift their focus to evidence-based solutions to criminal legal system transformation or abolishment.…”

“…Abolition from the prison industrial complex (PIC) is “focused on eliminating punitive measures, practices, policies and policies that control, surveil, and harm people” (Paine et al, 2021, p. 10). DaViera et al (2023) note that “one cannot reform the PIC and, thus, should not collaborate with its stakeholders” (p. 8). This would include not aligning with carceral systems (i.e., law enforcement, corrections).…”

“…This would include not aligning with carceral systems (i.e., law enforcement, corrections). Psychologists have described how the field of psychology can contribute to current abolition efforts (Auguste et al, 2023; DaViera et al, 2023; Klukoff et al, 2021). As psychologists continue to examine ways to combat systemic and institutional racism, abolition should be considered.…”