With more state buildings to lock people up than to educate people (94 university campuses v. 114 state prisons, not counting jails, federal lockups, and juvenile facilities) Texas must change its priorities. Ensuring that children have a good education is one of the best ways to keep them out of the criminal justice system, but between 1980 and 2000, the ratio of growth in Texas corrections to higher education spending was 7:1.

In the “Trapped in the System: Mass Incarceration in Texas” symposium, panelists will discuss how the criminalization of communities in Texas has led to skyrocketing incarceration rates—the causes of mass incarceration and how to reduce it.

For the Lobby Day on Monday morning, people will have a chance to go to the Capitol to meet lawmakers.

The events are sponsored by the ACLU of Texas. Register online.

Location: Radisson Hotel & Suites Austin Downtown, 111 East Cesar Chavez St, Austin 78701