Mass incarceration

Mass incarceration is a term used by historians and sociologists to describe the substantial increase in the number of incarcerated people in United States’ prisons over the past forty years,^[1] from 1970 to 2005 the number of inmates has risen 700% . The United States is home to 5% of the global population, and in 2014 held 25% of the global prison population. That number comes to 2.4 million people, the incarcerated predominately being Black, Latino, and/or living in poverty. The United States in 2016 had 17% Latino, 13% African american population. The two groups make up 30% of the population but make up 60% of the United States prison population.^[2][3] The US's prison population dwarfs the prison populations of every other developed country in the world, including countries thought to be repressive like China and Russia ^[4] Michelle Alexander describes Mass Incarceration as "the criminal justice system but also to the larger web of laws, rules, policies, and customs that control those labeled criminals both in and out of prison."^[4]

According to activists, mass incarceration began in the 1960s and 1970s with a rise in “tough-on-crime” approaches to criminal justice and with deliberate policy choices that impose intentionally punitive sentences.^[5][6] This approach has increased both the numbers of people entering the the criminal justice system and how long they remain under correctional control.^[7] Activists against mass incarceration have argued for ending the "War on Drugs", eliminating racial disparities in criminal justice, ending the privatization of prisons, and advocating for alternatives to incarceration." Litigation that was originally passed to ease the burden of overcrowded prisons was warped by the system of Mass Incarceration. Costello vs. Wainwright attempted a solution to overcrowded prisons by allowing the state to build more prisons. With the changing political climate and "Law and Order" politicians, this litigation became precedent to continually build prisons and exacerbate the problem of mass incarceration.^[8]

Much of the justice system has been criticized for its approach to incarceration, as the amount of people incarcerated for non-violent offenses is large. For example in 2016 out of the 2.4 million people incarcerated 15,000 of them were minors, 12,000 of which were jailed for offenses most Americans would not even consider a crime they are behind bars because of technical violations. Technical violations constitute not being able to meet probation, or parole requirements. 3,000 minors are behind bars for status offenses", offenses that for adults would not even be considered crimes such as truancy, running away, and incorrigibility.^[9] Some critics say Mass Incarceration is a way to further stratify the country along racial lines. The way in which being a felon alters one's life qualifies as a way they become a stratified class of people.^[10] Disadvantaged social groups are more likely to go to prison, and the prison population in a way reflects their lack of privilege.^[10] It stratifies people by incapacitating them in prison, and making them unable to labor and contribute to society through their work. Eroding their ability to work and properly socialize enforces their position and stigmatization in society. ^[10] Many of the incarcerated are under educated, and while are typically employed at the time of their arrest, come out of prison with a whole new barrier towards gainful employment.^[10] Critics also argue that some low income neighborhoods have about 15% of young men cycling back and forth through prison. This large amount of men coming and going destabilizes these neighborhoods. Coupled with housing restrictions, this actually serves to exacerbate crime in these areas.^[10] Michelle Alexander states that many felons are not in prison, but are under parole or probation and are unable to vote, get public housing or food stamps, and cannot obtain certain licenses for a variety of jobs. ^[4]

References in popular culture

Commentary against mass incarceration has come from many different groups including the hip-hop community. Artists like Tupac Shakur, NWA, and LL Cool J, and more recently Kendrick Lamar, have written songs and poems condemning the targeting of African Americans by police officers.^[11] The fight against mass incarceration has also been a part of the larger discourse in the 21st century movement for Black Lives. This movement has focused on specific racial issues faced by African Americans in the justice system including police brutality, ending capital punishment, and eliminating "the criminalization and dehumanization of Black youth across all areas of society." ^[12][13]

References