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Mass Incarceration
The united states have enacted unprecedented, radical practices and policies over the past thirty years that attempted to solve the problem of crime by prioritizing disproportionate and harsh punishment other than rehabilitation or prevention. In 2010 there were around 7.25 million who were put in some forms of correctional controls; they were either in jail or prison or on parole or probation. Mass incarceration can be explained as a unique way that the United States locked up a high population in state and federal prisons and the local jails. It is estimated that nearly 1% of adults in the community of the United States are in jail or prison; this is a rate perceived as high when compared with other democracies. Besides, individuals who are placed in some correctional units are almost one in thirty-two individuals. It is seen that more than half of those incarcerated are Hispanic or Black. The NAS report of 2014 explained that the increase in incarceration is not according to increasing crime rates. Still, it is caused by policy choices implemented by legislators to significantly raise the utilization of imprisonment as a response to crime problems. Punitive policies are developed from a desire to decrease the rate of crime. Still, according to research, it suggests that the increase in the deterrent impact of harsh policies such as increases in the length of prison sentences is a modest best way.
Mass incarceration is harmful to many, including the prisoners, families, communities, and children, which have long-term disadvantages. More than 54% of those who are placed in prisons are parents of minor children. More enormous proportions of children, majority those of distinct colors, are separated for long periods from their parents since the sentencing laws have become more severe. 1 in 14 children has experienced parental incarceration according to a report by child trends. Innocent children are affected due to the disruptions of nurturing relationships.
Because individuals are displaced, institutions weakened, and families are torn apart, communities with higher levels of incarceration lose human capital. According to research, it has displayed that neighborhoods may experience alterations in employment opportunities, community norms, and parenting patterns. These changes can lead to restriction of chances of self-efficiency and increment of poverty. These social justice tasks are majorly assumed in the public policy debates concerning the reform of criminal justice.
Mass incarceration cause problems that are not limited to the time individual stay in jail or prison. Multiple barriers to reintegration are encountered by returning prisoners, which may include weak ties to their communities, their families, and the job market resulting from long-term sentences. According to the 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act, prisoners with children who are put in 22 months risk, foster care for 15 months losing parental rights specifically if they are not able to converse with their children and with the caseworkers and judges cannot assist conserve family relationships.
The majority of the prisoners are often faced with mental health and substance abuse problems, but in correctional facilities, treatment is scarce, and after release, the coordinated services often have distinct waitlists and are even less met. These problems are associated with a lack of social networks, making it more challenging to acquire the primary requirements of life, which may include transportation, job, and housing, which are essential for acquiring the conditions of parole.
Local communities can be crippled with high concentrations of individuals returning from prison and leaving for prison and a high number of residents who are restricted to employment opportunities. Increased policing that alienates neighbors can replace the local self-government. These circumstances adversely impact minority neighborhoods, decreasing the extent of all individuals assisting one another, and being productive. When those released from prison or jail cannot secure social support and jobs, they may find themselves engaging in criminal actions.
The fight against these mass incarceration has been a difficult task for the Black Lives movement. They designed an online platform to fight against anti-black sentiments such as ingrained racism, police brutality, and mass incarceration within modern society.