Formerly incarcerated teacher instructs UW law students about criminal justice system

By: Andrew Kennard

Outlets: Wisconsin Examiner

Published: January 26, 2026

Words: 827

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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A new class at the University of Wisconsin Law School aims to teach students about the perspectives of different people who are part of the criminal justice system, including those who are incarcerated.

Dant’e Cottingham, one of the course instructors, was himself once locked up inside Wisconsin’s prison system. He said that according to stigma, he’s not supposed to be in the classroom.

“So I’m aware of that, and I carry that,” Cottingham said. …

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