Professor Carol M. Suzuki Presents “Promoting Student Learning and Breastfeeding Behind Bars Through Multi-Faceted Social Justice Advocacy”

‘The 2018 AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education, held in Chicago, IL, from April 29th to May 2nd, provided, according to Professor Carol Suzuki, “An opportunity for me to share with legal clinicians around the country the collaborative work that some students in the UNM Clinical Law Program engage in to promote healthier brain development and physical and mental wellbeing in babies whose mothers are incarcerated.”

Students enrolled in the University of New Mexico School of Law Clinical Law Programs worked in collaboration with other advocates and the local county jail (MDC) administration to develop a breastmilk expression policy that was adopted by MDC to assist pregnant and lactating inmates and their babies. A policy that supports the mother/child bond may promote child health and wellness, address adverse childhood events, and reduce recidivism. Using the theory of Diffusion of Innovations, the poster examined clinical law programs as innovators and early adopters of strategies to promote social justice and to teach transferable skills that meet student learning outcomes.”