Superjail?

Superjail!, an adult swim animated series, seems to me like the Aqua Teen Hunger Force of prisons.  The series is a typical adult swim feature, but set in a maximum security volcano prison.  Though the inmates are an alarming bunch, the warden might be even more deranged.  The comedy is stupefying and often based on graphic cartoon violence.  What makes this interesting to me is the setting in a prison, albeit a somewhat psychedelic volcano prison, and its featuring inmates as characters.  I don't think this show is trying to make some sweeping social comment, but it is a representation of what we might view as normative in prison life, or at least acceptable in terms of how to talk about prisoners.  What does this show do in terms of the way it presents prisons?  In the way it depicts prisoners?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Read the Wikipedia article:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superjail

View episodes online:


http://video.adultswim.com/superjail/index.html

CJL posters!

Check out our event posters.  If I didn't make them myself, I might say they're pretty awesome!

Law and the Multiverse

It seems like some other folks have also picked up on the the nerdtastic combination of law and superheroes.  James Daily in Missouri and Ryan Davidson in Indiana created a comic-book based law blog that uses superhero lore to explore different legal issues.  Check it out:

http://lawandthemultiverse.com/

A New York Times article on the blog describes some of these legal themes:
"Is Superman’s heat vision a weapon? If so, would the Second Amendment protect his right to melt pistols and cook hamburgers with it?"
“What if someone is convicted for murder, and then the victim comes back to life?”
And "whether mutants are a legally recognizable class entitled to constitutional protection from discrimination."

What is your favorite article?

CJL Presents: Gangs in Minnesota

Time Wednesday, April 6 · 12:15pm - 1:20pm Location Room 50, Mondale Hall Hosted By Criminal Justice League, Co-Sponsored by the Law & Policy Student Association More Info Join gang task forces and data systems expert Dr. Julie Barrows and Don Rothstein from the MN Department of Corrections for a discussion of gangs in Minnesota prisons. The presenters have assured us that their talk is both exciting and eye-opening. We'll also serve you spaghetti for lunch! We hope you can join us on Wednesday.

CJL Hosts: Victim's Duties to Offenders

We're all familiar with the goals and challenges of criminal law and punishment. Incapacitation, Rehabilitation, Deterrence, Retribution and so on. All of this has to do with offenders, however. Has anyone ever considered the duties of victims? More specifically, the duties of victims to offenders?

Come listen to Professor Sandra Marshall, Professor of Philosophy from Stirling University, UK, speak about her new book discussing the duties of victims.

Join us for lunch in room 50, 12:15 - 1:15 on Friday, April 1st!