The "Education Under Arrest" Conversation Continues On "The Tavis Smiley Show" From PRI

The new six-week series, premiering Friday, March 29, illuminates the school-to-prison pipeline and hears from those making a difference

LOS ANGELES, March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last night on PBS, a new episode of TAVIS SMILEY REPORTS titled "Education Under Arrest" examined the connection between the juvenile justice system and the dropout rate among American teens, as well as the efforts by educators, law enforcement professionals, judges, youth advocates, and the at-risk teens themselves to end what has become known as "the school-to-prison pipeline." This weekend, the conversation continues in a new six-week series on the national syndicated radio program The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International (PRI).

Beginning this Friday, March 29 and over the course of six weeks, each episode will continue where TAVIS SMILEY REPORTS left off, featuring a more in-depth look at the school-to-prison pipeline and the zero tolerance policy, while hearing from those who are making a difference.

"'Education Under Arrest' is one of the most emotional pieces of work I've ever done," said Smiley. "The criminalization of our youth is a national tragedy, and I look forward to introducing fellow citizens to the individuals and organizations on the frontlines of the fight to save our children."

The series, sponsored in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, kicks off with David J. Utter, director of the Florida Youth Initiative at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Utter is the former director and co-founder of the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana and in 2003 was named Distinguished Attorney of the Year for his work on juvenile justice reform. Additional guests include employees with Youth United for Change (YUC), a youth-run advocacy organization in Philadelphia, PA; Judge Jimmie Edwards, founder of the Innovative Concept Academy in St. Louis, MO; and others.

"Education Under Arrest" debuts Friday, March 29 on The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI.  Listeners are encouraged to tweet their thoughts following the program using the hashtag #School2Jail. For more information, including local air times, visit: www.tavissmileyradio.com.

About "The Tavis Smiley Show" from PRI
The Tavis Smiley Show engages commentators and guests in substantive and provocative discussions on a wide range of topics including: politics, health, finance, sports, technology, and pop culture. The show's hallmark is an insightful exploration of the issues that matter from fresh, diverse points of view. Tavis Smiley was recently named to TIME's list of the 100 "Most Influential People in the World."

The Tavis Smiley Show is produced by Smiley Radio Properties and is supported in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This one-hour program airs weekends on local public radio stations nationwide. To get local listings, visit: www.tavissmileyradio.com.

About Public Radio International
For 30 years, Americans have identified PRI as the source of news, information, and cultural insights essential to understanding our interconnected world. On almost 900 radio stations across the U.S. and on digital platforms that reach millions around the world, PRI continues to innovate in sharing powerful stories, connecting people and cultures around the globe, and helping people effect positive change in their lives and the world. Through relationships with trusted news leaders like the BBC, the CBC, the New York Times and others, PRI brings new voices, global journalism, and cultural perspectives to the American public. PRI produced and distributed radio shows include "PRI's The World®," "Q with Jian Ghomeshi," "Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen," "Here & Now," "The Takeaway," "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?," "The Tavis Smiley Show," and "This American Life." Content from these shows is available on public radio stations, websites, mobile phones and tablet devices, and via podcasts and streaming. PRI helps people understand their place in the world and make informed decisions every day by enabling them to "hear a different voice™." More at pri.org.

SOURCE Smiley Radio Properties