Boston University Clinical Professor Phillipe Copeland has been named co-lead of the Grand Challenge to Promote Smart Decarceration, a project of the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare’s Grand Challenges for Social Work.
Copeland will work with project co-leads — Pajarita Charles of the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Charles Epperson of the University of Chicago; and Carrie Pettus-Davis of Florida State University — to support the Smart Decarceration project objectives, including modifying legislation to remedy unjust sentencing guidelines, including mandatory minimum drug sentences; reducing the incarcerated population by 25%, reducing racial and social disparities and improving public safety and well-being.
The Smart Decarceration project is supported by four working groups: Research, Practice, Education and Policy. Copeland became involved with the Smart Decarceration project in 2018 as a member of its Education Working Group.
In 2019, Copeland and other members of the Education Working Group co-authored Smart Decarceration Practice Behaviors for Social Work Competencies, a guide made for social work administrators, instructors and students to help incorporate smart decarceration practices into social work education.
