The Social Action Committee of The Jewish Center of Princeton is sponsoring a panel discussion, Race, Justice, and Mass Incarceration in America, Sunday, December 8, 10 a.m.-noon, in the Adult Library of the synagogue.

The program is part of an ongoing conversation among faith communities in the area inspired by Michelle Alexander’s book, the New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. A disproportionately high percentage of those incarcerated in the United States, which houses 25 percent of the world’s prisoners, are Black and Hispanic men. This inequality permeates the criminal justice system. A criminal record negatively affects access to jobs, education, housing, and other factors needed to assimilate into mainstream society.

The Jewish Center program will contribute a Jewish perspective; and add to the conversation with an examination of this issue within the broader context of our political system; as well as look at what is working to help prevent and change the deleterious effects of mass incarceration. Panelists include: Hernan Carvente, Center on Youth Justice, Vera Institute of Justice; Lisa L. Miller, PhD associate professor political science, Rutgers University; Ryan Shanahan, PhD, Family Justice Program, Vera Institute of Justice; Perry Shaw III, executive director, A Better Way. The program is free and refreshments will be served.

For more information, visit The Jewish Center at 435 Nassau Street, Princeton or online at www.thejewishcenter.org.