As Prairie View A&M University continues to “go global”, Dr. Camille Gibson and six criminal justice majors in the course CRJS 4913 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems spent two weeks in June to July as guests of the University of Madras in Chennai, India. The students were there to learn about the nation’s justice system. They heard from speakers that included the head of the Tamil Nadu’s prison system, the Chief of Probation Officer, leaders in India’s Police Service and investigative journalists from The Hindu newspaper. Sites visited included, local police stations, a youth observation home, ancient temple sites at Mahabalipuram and St. Thomas Church where “Doubting Thomas is buried”. They were also special guests of the Inspector and Deputy Inspector Generals of the famed Puzhal Central Prison, which they had the rare opportunity to tour. Reciprocally, Dr. Gibson delivered a lecture to the state’s Police Academy on criminogenic factors. The undergraduate President and Treasurer of Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society – Beta Epsilon Nu Chapter, Amber Thomas made a donation from the chapter to a SOS Children’s Village. The group also attended to some of the district’s homeless.
A possible visit by students at the University of Madras to Prairie View in fall 2018 is being explored. The College of Juvenile Justice , Justice Studies faculty and staff, the staff of the International Office at Prairie View, the Travel Office staff and Mr. Ralph Perri in Financial Aid along with Professor Srinivasan and his students and alumni at the University of Madras were all very instrumental in the realization of this faculty-led study tour to India.