Photograph of Professor Brenda Smith

Brenda Smith

Professor of Law

Office: Room 442
 Phone: 202-274-4261
E-mail: vCard


Brenda V. Smith is a professor at the Washington College of Law at American University where she teaches in the Community Economic Development Law Clinic. Professor Smith is also the Project Director for the United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Cooperative Agreement on Addressing Prison Rape. In November 2003, Professor Smith was appointed to the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission by the United States House of Representatives Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D- Calif.). Prior to her faculty appointment at the Washington College of Law, Professor Smith was the Senior Counsel for Economic Security at the National Women's Law Center and Director of the Center's Women in Prison Project and Child and Family Support Project. Professor Smith is a 1984 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and a magna cum laude graduate of Spelman College in 1980.

Professor Smith is an expert on issues affecting women in prison, and has published and spoken widely on those issues. Recent publications include Rethinking Prison Sex: Self -Expression and Safety, 15 Colum. J. Gender & L. 185 (2006); Sexual Abuse of Women in Prison: A Modern Corollary of Slavery, 33 Fordham Urb. L. J. 571 (2006); Battering, Forgiveness and Redemption: Exploring Alternative Models for Addressing Domestic Violence in Communities of Color, in Domestic Violence at the Margins: Readings on Race, Class, Gender, and Culture (Rutgers University Press, 2004); Watching You, Watching Me, 15 Yale J.L. & Feminism 225 (2003); Battering, Forgiveness and Redemption, 11 Am. U. J. Gender Soc. Policy & L. 921, Volume 2 (2003); An End to Silence: Prisoners’ Handbook on Identifying and Addressing Sexual Misconduct, (2d ed., Washington College of Law, 2002); and Sexual Abuse Against Women in Prison, ABA Criminal Justice Magazine, Vol. 16. No. 1, Spring, 2001.

Professor Smith has received numerous honors, including the prestigious Kellogg National Fellowship in 1993. She was inducted into the D.C. Women’s Hall of Fame in 1998 for her work on behalf of low-income women in the District of Columbia. Most recently, Professor Smith was awarded the Emalee C. Godsey Research Award for her article, Battering, Forgiveness and Redemption.



Areas of Specialization

  • Clinical Legal Education
  • Community Development Law
  • Gender and the Law
  • Professional Responsibility
  • Criminal Law

Degrees & Universities

  • J.D., Georgetown University 1984
  • B.A., Spelman College 1980 (magna cum laude )

  • Selected Publications

    • + More Publications...

    • Books

    • Brenda Smith, Report: Fifty State Survey of Criminal Laws Prohibiting Sexual Abuse of Individuals in Custody ( 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, An End to Silence: Prisoners' Handbook on Identifying and Addressing Sexual Misconduct (2d ed., 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Eleanor Hinton Hoyt, Vincent Schiraldi, & Jason Ziedenberg, Pathways to Juvenile Detention Reform: Reducing Racial Disparities in Juvenile Detention (Annie E. Casey Found. 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Instructor's Guide: Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (U.S. Dept. of Just., Natl. Inst. of Corrects. 2002).

    • Other Publications

    • Brenda Smith & Jaime Yarussi, Breaking the Code of Silence: A Correction Officer's Handbook on Identifying and Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders, The Department of Justice/ National Institute of Corrections Project on Addressing Prison Rape, D.C. (June 2007).
    • Brenda Smith, Analyzing Prison Sex: Reconciling Self Expression with Safety, 13 No. 2 Hum. Rights Br. 17 (2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Sexual Abuse of Women in Prison: A Modern Corollary of Slavery, 33 Fordham Urb. L.J. 571 (2006).
    • Brenda Smith & Nairi Simonian, Integrity in Jail Operations: Addressing Employee/Inmate Relationships, Am. Jail. Mag. 27 (July-Aug. 2006).
    • Brenda V. Smith & Nairi Simonian, Addressing Employee/Offender Relationships: Guidance for Sheriffs, Sheriff Mag. 9, 9-10, 13, 15-16, 18-19 (May-June 2006).
    • Brenda V. Smith, Nairi Simonian & Jaime Yarussi, The Health Concerns of Incarcerated Women—Part 1: Profiles, Chronic Diseases, and Conditions, Part 2: Communicable Diseases and Treatment Issues Women, 7, no. 3 Girls & Crim. Just. 33, 33-34, 39-45 (Apr.-May 2006) (reprinted in 7, no. 4 Girls & Crim. Just. 49 (June-July 2006)).
    • Brenda Smith, The Health Concerns of Imprisoned Women, Natl. Black Women's Health Project (2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Maureen Buell, Elizabeth Layman, & Susan W. McCampbell, Addressing Sexual Misconduct in Community Correstions, 27 Amer. Prob. & Par. J. Assn. 2 (Spring 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Battering, Forgiveness and Redemption, 12 Am. U. J. Gender Soc. Policy & L. 921 (2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Remarks, 7 U.D.C. L. Rev. 232 (2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Pursuing Equal Justice: Law Schools and the Provision of Legal Services, in AALS Equal Justice Project (Summary of Meetings in Washington, D.C. and Syracuse, New York (AALS 2002).
    • Brenda Smith & Pamela Bridgewater, Introduction to Symposium, Homophobia in the Halls of Justice: Sexual Orientation Bias and Its Implications with the Legal System, 11 Am. U. J. Gender Soc. Policy & L. 1 (2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Sexual Abuse Against Women in Prison, 16 ABA Crim. Just. Mag. 31 (2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Incarceration, in Women's Health Across the Lifespan: A Comprehensive Perspective (Lippincott 1997).

  • + Selected Presentations

    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003: What Law Enforcement and Correctional Leaders Need to Know (31st Annual Conference and Exhibition, National Organization of Blacks in Law Enforcment, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., July 31, 2007).
    • Brenda Smith, Conference Chair, Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders (United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, D.C., July 15-20, 2007).
    • Brenda Smith, Conference Chair, Addressing Sexual Violence Against Youth in Custody (United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, D.C., July 8-13, 2007).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Legal Issues Affecting Women Offenders (Agency Approach to Working with Women Offenders, U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, Norman, Okla., June 28, 2007).
    • Brenda Smith, Participant, Forum’07: Build a Current Together (Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance, Estes Park, Colo., June 22-26, 2007).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, The Prison Rape Elimination Act: Impact on Juvenile Corrections (American Corrections Association, Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 15, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): Creating Safe Correctional Enviornments throught the Elimination of Sexual Assault (Southern States Correctional Association Conference, Charleston, W. VA., July 17, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., July 9-14, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Juvenile Videoconference--Addressing Sexual Abuse of Youth in Custody (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Spokane, Wash., June 28, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Women Offenders: Developing an Agencywide Approach (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Longmont, Colo., June 15, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Federal Prisoners (Office of the Inspector General, Wash., D.C., June 6, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Convener, Focus Group on Developing a Curriculum on Addressing Sexual Abuse of Youth in Custody (NIC/WCL Project on Addressing Prison Rape, Miami, Fla., June 2, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Autonomy-Rethinking Prison Sex (Fifth Annual European-American Consortium on Legal Education, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., May 26, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Legal and Policy Issues in Addressing Prison Rape: Understanding the Impact..Prison Rape Elimination Act (Executive Summit-Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester, Mass., May 23, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Preventing Lawyer Misconduct: What the Disciplinary System, Law Schools and the Bar can do to Promote Ethical Practice (Thrity-Third Annual Disciplinary Conference of the Disctrict of Columbia, Wash., D.C., May 3, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Legal Issues Affecting Women Offenders (Working with Women Offenders: Implications for Administrators, Managers and Supervisors, National Institute of Corrections and Virginia Department of Corrections, Crozier, Va., Apr. 19, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Women in Prison: Behind Bars and Beyond Justice? (Women of Color Collective, Georgetown University Law Center, Wash., D.C., Apr. 11, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Convener, Focus Group on Developing a Curriculum on Addressing Inmate on Inmate Rape (NIC/WCL Project on Addressing Prison Rape, Miami, FL, Mar. 24, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Convener, Focus Group on Developing a Curriculum on Addressing Sexual Abuse of Youth in Custody (NIC/WCL Project on Addressing Prison Rape, Wash., D.C., Mar. 20, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Washington, D.C., Mar. 12-17, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Paper Presentation, Prison, Punishment and Sexuality, “Rethinking Prison Sex” (Symposium on Sexuality and the Law, Columbia Journal of Gender and the Law, N.Y.C., N.Y., Feb. 24, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Testimony, Testimony in Support of House Bill 456 concerned Sexual Abuse of Persons in Custody before House Judicial Proceedings Committee (Maryland State Legislature, Feb. 15, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, The Prison Rape Elimination Act: Investigating Sexual Assault Allegations in Institutional Settings (Legal Considerations in Addressing Allegations of Prison Rape, American Correctional Association Winter Meeting American Correctional Association Winter Meeting, Nashville, Tenn., 01/30/06).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Restorative Justice Reconceived (Mid-Atlantic People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference: Race and Rights in the 21st Century: Next Generation Issue, Wash., D.C., Jan. 28, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Legal Issues in Working with Women Offenders (Working with Women Offenders, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Sacramento, Cal., Jan. 10, 2006).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Working Group on Integrating Gender Into Legal Education in India (Pune, India, Dec. 19-21, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, (Clinical Legal Education: First Annual South Asian Conference of Law Teachers, V. M. Salgaocar College of Law, Goa, India, Dec. 16-18, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, (PREA 2005 Regional Meeting for Executive Level Administrators from Adult Correctional Systems and Jail Facilities, Phoenix, Ariz. & Austin, Tex., Dec. 1-2, 2005 & Dec. 8-9, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Conference Chair, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Youth in Custody (National Institute of Corrections/Washington College of Law Cooperative Agreement on Addressing Prison Rape, Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, Lexington, Ky., Nov. 6-10, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Elizabeth Payne Cubberly Scholar Award to Professor Darren Hutchinson (Faculty Scholarship Awards Luncheon, Wash., D.C., Oct. 19, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, National Institute of Corrections/Washington College of Law Cooperative Agreement on Addressing Prison Rape, (National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board, Arlington, Va., Oct. 18, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Clinical Legal Education and Experimental Learning Network (Gender and Legal Education in India, Wash., D.C., Oct. 16-22, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, The Prison Rape Elimination Act: What Does it Mean for Community Corrections Staff Sexual Misconduct in teh Field: Breaking Professional Trust and the Law (New England Council on Crime and Delinquency, 66th Annual Training Institute, Killington, Vt., Oct. 4-5, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Overview of the Prison Rape Elimination Act: (Prison Rape Elimination Act Training, Sykesville, Md., Sept. 28, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Videoconference on Addressing Prison Rape in Community Corrections (American Probation and Parole Association Conference, July 25, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Individuals under Correctional Supervision (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., July 10-15, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Legal Issues (Operational Practices in Women's Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, National Institue of Corrections, Alexandria, Va., June 9, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Limited Equity Cooperative Property Tax Training (Coalition for Non-Profit Housing and Economic Development, Wash., D.C., May 24, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Planning Meeting: Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders (National Institute of Corrections/Washington College of Law Project on Addressing Prison Rape, Wash., D.C., May 19-20, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Human Rights and Juvenile Detention (Broken Dreams: Human Rights and Juvenile Justice in Mississippi, Apr. 29, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, The Importance of Using International Human Rights Norms in Domestic Legal Practice (Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Mar. 17, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, The Impact of Human Rights Norms on Practicing Criminal Law in the United States (Humphrey Fellows, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Apr. 14, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Women, Crime and Law: Battered Women who Kill-A Comparative Perspective (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Apr. 7, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, , From Law School to Esquire: You Can Get There from Here, Part II (Sylvania Woods Conference on African Americans and the Law, American University Washington College of Law., Wash., D.C., Apr. 2, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Accepted Applicants Day (Office of Admission, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Apr. 1, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., Mar. 7-12, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, International Child Custody (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Feb. 25, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Re(Discovering) Women’s Voices in the Struggle for Political, Economic and Social Justice (Martin Luther King Commemoration Program, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Feb. 8, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Watching You, Watching Me: Judicial Response to Cross Gender Guarding of Male and Female Inmates (Southwestern Law School, L.A., Cal., Jan. 31, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, National Videoconference on Strategies to Address Prison Rape (United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, Richmond, Ky., Jan. 26-27, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Critical Issues in Managing Women Offenders (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 20, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Videoconference: A Town Hall Meeting: Addressing Prison Rape (American Correctional Association Conference, Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2005).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, U.S. Detention Policies and Practices (Midwest Voice for Human Rights, University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 12, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Moderator, Decarceration: The Movement to Close Adult Prisons and Juvenile Detention Facilities (Criminal Law Society, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Oct. 21, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Moderator, Feminism: Is it Just a White Thing?, A Panel Discussion on Building Coalitions for Women’s Right Across Racial Boundaries (Women’s Law Association, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Oct. 13, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Meeting the Needs of Women and Girls in the Justice System, (SAMHSA Women and Children’s Treatment Grantee Training and Technical Assistance Forum, Balt., Md., Aug. 4, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 – Response and Implementation Intensive Workshop (American Correctional Association Workshop, Chi., Ill., Aug. 3, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, National Videoconference – Phase I: How the Prison Rape Elimination Act Affects You (United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, Spokane, Wash., July 21, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., July 11-16, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Human Rights and U.S. Law (Ford Foundation Forum, "Close to Home: Human Rights and Social Justice Advocacy in the United States, N.Y.C., N.Y., June 21, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Gender and Legal Education in India Initiaitve (Wash., D.C., June 16, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Legal Issues-Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates and Cross Gender Supervision (National Institute of Corrections, "Operational Practices in Working with Women Offenders, Atlanta, Ga., June 9, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Having Fun With Technology (Back to the Basics, Back to the Future, AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education, San Diego, Cal., May 4, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Moderator, Thematic Table on Prison Conditions (Strengthening Criminal Justice Advocacy: How to Use the International Human Rights System, Wash. D.C., Apr. 30, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Prisoner's Rights, Use of U.N. Human Rights Mechanisms: A How, When and Why for Domestic Public Interest Lawyers (Bringing Human Rights Home Lawyers Network CLE Training, N.Y.C., N.Y., Apr. 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Women and Prison: A Panel Discussion on the Issues Facing Incarcerated Women and Femal Ex-Offenders (Wash., DC, Apr. 15, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Having Fun with Technology (AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education, “Back to the Basics, Back to the Future," San Diego, Cal., May 4, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Conference Overview, From Law School to Esquire: You Can Get There From Here (The Eigth Annual Sylvania Woods Conference on African Americans and the Law, Wash., D.C., Apr. 3, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Intimacy, Sexuality and Fertility with Specific Reference to Women Prisoners: Animating the Feminist Body (Feminism and Legal Theory Project: Celebrating 20 Years of Pedagogy, Praxis and Prisms, Wash., D.C., Mar. 19, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Offenders (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., Mar. 7-12, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Doing Justice to Ethics in the Classroom (Ann Ferren Teaching Conference, Wash., D.C., Jan. 10, 2004).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Critical Issues in Managing Women Offenders: A Policy Perspective (Frederick, Md., Nov. 20, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Experiential Learning Group on the Role of Prisons in the United States (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Oct. 13, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Implications of Federal Sentencing Policy on Women and Children (National Association of Women Judges Conference, Wash., D.C., Oct. 11, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Integrating Gender Into Legal Education In India (Brown Bag Series, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Sept. 16, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Politics, Prejudice and Indifference: U.S. Policy Towards Haitian Refugees (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Sept. 2, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Preventing and Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct in Corrections (American Correctional Food Service Association, Balt., Md., Aug. 6, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., July 13-18, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Working Group on Integrating Gender into Legal Education in India (Delhi, India, June 24-27, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Addressing Sexual Misconduct in Community Corrections (Wash., DC, June 2-4, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Faculty Speaker, Sexual Abuse of Women in United States Prisons: A Modern Corollary of Slavery (Wash., DC, Apr. 25, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Access to Care: Black Women in Custody (The National Colloquium on Black Women’s Health, Wash., D.C., Apr. 11, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Commentator, Re/Enfranchising the African-American Community: Engaging the Political Process (The Sylvania Woods Conference, Wash., D.C., Apr. 5. 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Our Own Stories: Negotiating Reproduction in the Private Sphere, Re/Dis/Un Covering Reproductive Rights in the Americas (Wash., D.C., Mar. 26, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., Mar. 9-14, 2003).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Battering, Forgiveness and Redemption (Mid-Atlantic Clinical Theory Workshop, Catholic University, Wash., D.C., Nov. 22, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Meeting the Treatment Needs of Women and Girls in Conflict with the Law, Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment in Response to the Needs of Women, Children and Families (U.S. Department of Health and Human Srevices, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Wash., D.C., Nov. 11, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Chair, National Planning Meeting on Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct in Corrections (United States Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, Wash., D.C., Nov. 14-15, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Critical Issues in Managing Women Offenders: A Policy Perspective (Maui, Haw., Sept. 8-11, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Family Unfriendly: The Impact of Criminal Justice Policies on Women Offenders and Children (American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Wash., D.C., Aug. 10, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Women's Issues: The Impact of the Criminal Justice System, Ten Years in the Fight for Justice (National Association of Sentencing Advocates, Wash., D.C., May 9, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Battering and Forgiveness (Symposium on Confronting Domestic Violence and Achieving Gender Equality: Evaluating Battered Women & Feminist Lawmaking by Elizabeth Scheider, American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, Wash., D.C., Apr. 20, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Obtaining Public Interest Fellowships (Career Services Office, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Apr. 18, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Lecture, Legal Ethics and Law Studies (Legal Rhetoric and Writing Program, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Mar. 27, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Intimacy, Sexuality and Fertility (The Louisa Van Wezel Schwartz Symposium on Mental Health Issues in Correcctional Institutions, University of the Disctrict of Columbia, Wash., D.C., Mar. 25, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., Mar. 10, 2002).
    • Brenda Smith, Videoconference, Staff Sexual Miscondut with the Inmates (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Spokane, Wash., Dec. 13, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Community Fellows Conference (Open Society Institute, Balt., Md., Nov. 7, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Lecture, Sexual Misconduct and Re-Entry Issues Facing Women Offenders (The Prisoner's Rights and Advocacy Clinic Seminar, University of the District of Columbia, Wash., D.C., Oct. 23, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Custodial Sexual Misconduct (Not Part of the Penalty: Ending Prison Rape, Wash., D.C., Oct. 19, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Lecture, Ain't I A Woman: Women in Prison and Feminist Legal Theory (George Washington University Department of Women's Studies, Wash., D.C., Oct. 16, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, Opportunities in Community Economic Development (National Association for Public Interest Law Career Fair, Wash., D.C., Oct. 7, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Lecture, Constitutional Concerns of Women in Prison (Corrections and the Constitution, American University, Wash., D.C., Sept. 26, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Commentator, Incarceration of Women and the Effects on Parenting (Conference on the Effects of Incarceration on Children and Families, Institue for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., May 5, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, The African-American Lawyer: Protecting Progress, Maintaining Success (Sylvania Woods Conference Luncheon, Wash., D.C., Apr. 7, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, , Acting on Your Passion: Making a Difference in the Community (Georgetown University Law Center Eighth Annual Women's Forum, "Celebrating 50 Years of Women at the Law Center", Wash., D.C., Apr. 21, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, The Path Least Taken: Institutional Reform for Women in the Criminal Justice System (Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency of the District of Columbia, Wash., D.C., Mar. 29, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., Mar. 11-16, 2001).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Wash., D.C., Dec. 3-8, 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Walking the Same Path-Women in Prison and Girls in the Juvenile Justice System (Juvenile Defender Leadership Summit, Houston, Tex., Oct. 27-29, 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Training Conference, Investigating Allegations of Staff Sexual Misconduct with Inmates (Nationa Institute of Corrections, Wash., D.C., Sept. 24-29, 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Quality of Courage - A Dialogue with Human Rights Defenders (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Sept. 18, 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Constructions of Culture: Merit, Class and Privilege (AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education, Albuquerque, N.M., May 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Transational Justice (Women, Justice and Authority: A Working Conference, Yale Law School, New Haven, Conn., Apr. 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Panelist, The Impact of Sentencing Laws on Women and Familes (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Mar. 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, (Soros Foundation Equal Justice Fellows Meeting, N.Y.C., N.Y., Mar. 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Sppech, Courts in America, Focus on Gender: The Future of the Violence Against Women Act (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Feb. 2000).
    • Brenda Smith, Plenary Presentation, Building the Case--Why Focus on Women Offenders?-Women in Conflict with the Law in the International Context (National Symposium on Women Offenders, Wash., D.C., Dec. 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Critical Issues in Managing Women Offenders (U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corections, Colo., Sept. 1996, May 1999, & Aug. 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Trainer, Cross-Gender Suspervisions--Competing Claims and Interests (Operational Practices for Supervising Femal Offenders, National Institutes of Corrections Academy, Colo., Aug. 1998 & Aug. 200).
    • Brenda Smith, Plenary Presentation, Evolving Identities as Clinical Teachers (American Association of Law Schools, Workshop on Clinical Legal Education, Cal., May 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Jailed Parents and Child Support Enforecement (36th Annual Training Conference of the Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association, Fla., May 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Sentencing the Juvenile Offender; Does Race Affect the Disposition (100th Anniversay of Juvenile Courts, American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., Apr. 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Staff Sexual Miscondut with the Inmates (National Institute of Corrections Academy, Va., Mar. 1998 & Mar. 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Presentation, Treatment of Women in Detention (Amnesty International Conference on Women in Detention, London, Eng,, Mar. 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Human Rights in the United States (The Rebellious Lawyering Conference at Yale, New Haven, Conn., Feb. 1999).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Women in Prison (Clearinghouse on Women's Issue, Wash., D.C., Oct. 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Moderator, Roundtable - Developing a Human Rights Campaign Against the Prison Industrial Complex (Critical Resistance: Beyond the Prison Industrial Complex, Cal., Sept. 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Trainer, Train-the Trainers - Addressing Sexual Misconduct Between Staff and Inmates (National Institute of Corrections Academy, Va., Sept. 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Moderator, Women in Prison Roudntable with Radhika Commaraswamey, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Cause and Consequences (American University Washington College of Law, Wash., D.C., June 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Trainer, Addressing Staff Sexual Misconduct between Staff and Inmates (Ohio Department of Corrections, Ohio, June 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Roundtable Discussion, Public Rountable on Prison Construction (D.C. City Council, Wash., D.C., Apr. 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Are We All Equal Under the Law? (Symposium, Cornell Political Forum, Ithaca, N.Y., Apr. 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Sexual Misconduct Against Women in Prison (Symposium on the Treatment of Women Prisoners, New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement, New England School of Law, Bos., Mass., Jan. 1998).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Institutional Racism against African-American Women and Girls in the Justice System (National Council for Negro Women Annual Conference, Wash., D.C., Dec. 9, 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Staff Sexual Miscondut with the Inmates (National Institute of Corrections Academy, Colo., Nov. 13-15, 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, African-American Women in the Criminal Justice System (National Council of Negro Women, Wash., D.C., Sept. 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Services for Women in the Criminal Justice System (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Conference on Women, Ariz., Sept. 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Welfare Reform and Corrections: A Blueprint for Failure (Seventh National Conference on Adult and Juvenile Female Offenders, Minn., Spet. 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Challenges of Welfare Reform, Changes in Disability Eligibility and Strategies that are Responsive (1997 CSAT Annual Grantee Meeting, Md., Apr. 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Women and Criminal Justice (Yale University, New Haven, Conn., Mar. 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Managing Staff Sexual Misconduct (National Institute of Corrections Academy, Colo., Jan. 1997).
    • Brenda Smith, Speech, Women Prisoners & HIV: Risks and Remedies (Africa-American Women and the Law: Exerting Our Power, Reclaiming Our Communities National Conference, 1995).

  • + Selected Media Appearances

    • Inmates’ Liaison Results in Child (Richmond-Times Dispatch July 24, 2007) (Newspaper).
    • The Case of the Juvenile Sex Offender (The New York Times July 22, 2007) (Magazine).
    • New York Times Magazine, "Cover Story: How Can You Distinguish a Budding Pedophile From a Kid With Real Boundary Problems?" (New York Times July 22, 2007) (Magazine Interview).
    • Facing Prison Rape ( 2004) (Television Documentary).
    • Discussion on Issues Facing Women in Prison (WIID Radio Mar. 16, 2003) (Radio News Program).
    • Discussion on the Lack of Dialogue in Mid-Term Elections on Crime and Gun Control (BBC Radio Oct. 21, 2002) (Radio News Program).
    • The Tavis Smiley Show, "Discussion on Women in Prison with Mental Health Problems" (NPR Mar. 18, 2002) (Radio News Program).
    • Debates, "Discussing the Legal and Policy Implications of Cross-Gender Supervision of Women Inmates" (Debates Feb. 2000) (Television Program).
    • The Children of Criminal Offenders & Foster Care ( 1999) (Television Documentary).
    • Discussing Legal and Policy Implications of Schackling Pregnant Prisoners (CNN Oct. 1998) (Television Program).
    • Critiquing Trial Decision Relating to Sexual Misconduct in Prison (Court TV Aug. 1998) (Television Program).
    • To The Contrary, "Discussing Sexual Misconduct in Prison and New Publication" (CNN July 1998) (Television Program).
    • Rights for All: Amnesty International's Campaign on the USA ( 1998) (Television Documentary).