Nina Zhao’s capstone project, “Examining the Virtue of Prison Reentry Programs: Confronting Injustice or Encouraging Passivity?”, explored the ethical complexities of working within entrenched systems. A senior in Brown’s five-year undergraduate and master of public health program, Nina’s research bridged education, ethics, and systemic change.
Her project was shaped by her hands-on experience teaching classes in a Rhode Island prison reentry program since January 2024. While she found the work meaningful, it also raised critical questions. Over the summer, Nina explored papers that challenged the impact of such programs. “Some argue that these programs sustain the existing prison system rather than dismantling it,” she shared. “Instead of encouraging people to fight against the system, they teach them how to navigate it.” This shift in perspective led her to center her capstone on the ethical dilemmas of working within flawed institutions.
Originally planning to write a thesis, Nina pivoted to an experiential-based capstone, using personal reflection and existing literature to develop a nuanced analysis. She credited her advisors, Professor Pierre de Galbert and Professor Diane Silva Pimentel, for guiding her through this transition.
Through her engagement with the program, Nina deepened her understanding of education as a tool for addressing systemic inequities. Entering the prisons showed her that education extends beyond formal instruction—it’s an exchange of ideas that can empower and challenge.
One of the most difficult aspects of her project was navigating conflicting viewpoints. “There were moments when I wondered if what we were doing was harmful,” she admitted. “I questioned whether the program perpetuated the system rather than disrupting it. But over time, I saw the real, tangible impact we were having on individuals.”
Ultimately, Nina concluded that while systemic change—such as decarceration and abolition—is a necessary long-term goal, immediate support for those within the system remains crucial. “The scholars advocating for decarceration and abolition made valid points,” she acknowledged. “But in practice, those ideas can feel distant and unrealistic. In the meantime, we need to work with the system as it exists to help those affected by it.”
For Nina, the capstone was as much a personal journey as an academic one. She learned to embrace uncertainty and realized that tackling complex issues doesn’t require a perfect solution. The experience reaffirmed her commitment to community health and serving marginalized populations.
“The ethics of working inside a system is something I know I’ll encounter again,” she reflected. “But this project taught me that even imperfect efforts can make a difference—and that’s something I’ll carry forward in whatever I do next.”