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The Making of Mass Incarceration in America: A Sobering Examination of a Broken System

Dan Bell

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Published in From The War On Poverty To The War On Crime: The Making Of Mass Incarceration In America

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From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America

by Elizabeth Hinton

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3196 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	463 pages

A Troubling History

A Historical Photograph Of A Crowded Prison Cell From The War On Poverty To The War On Crime: The Making Of Mass Incarceration In America

The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with over 2 million people behind bars. This staggering statistic, and the impact it has on individuals, families, and society as a whole, is a sobering reflection of the country's criminal justice system.

The roots of mass incarceration can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s, when conservative policies, such as the "war on drugs," ushered in a new era of harsh sentencing laws. These laws disproportionately targeted poor and minority communities, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of people imprisoned for nonviolent offenses.

Devastating Consequences

A Chart Showing The Racial Disparities In Incarceration Rates From The War On Poverty To The War On Crime: The Making Of Mass Incarceration In America

The consequences of mass incarceration are devastating. Incarceration tears families apart, disrupts communities, perpetuates poverty, and has a profound impact on the health and well-being of those who are imprisoned.

Racial disparities are particularly pronounced in the criminal justice system. In the United States, African Americans are incarcerated at a rate that is five times higher than that of white Americans, despite the fact that they commit crimes at similar rates. This disparity is a reflection of the systemic racism and discrimination that permeate the criminal justice system.

Urgent Need for Reform

A Group Of People Protesting Against Mass Incarceration From The War On Poverty To The War On Crime: The Making Of Mass Incarceration In America

The need for criminal justice reform is urgent. Mass incarceration is a moral failure and a drain on society's resources. It has failed to make communities safer and has instead caused irreparable harm to countless lives.

There are a number of steps that can be taken to address mass incarceration, including:

* Reducing mandatory minimum sentences * Expanding drug courts and treatment programs * Ending racial profiling and discrimination in the criminal justice system * Investing in education, job training, and other programs that provide opportunities for people to avoid crime

These reforms would not only reduce the prison population but would also make communities safer and more just.

The Making of Mass Incarceration in America is a powerful and disturbing examination of a broken system. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a call to action for all who care about justice and equality.

By understanding the history and consequences of mass incarceration, we can work together to create a more just and equitable society for all.

From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America

by Elizabeth Hinton

4.7 out of 5