Impact of Mass Incarceration on Racial Disparities in the US PDF

Impact of Mass Incarceration on Racial Disparities in the United States Sarai Azamar JS-104 Introduction ❖ Mass Incarceration disproportionately affects racial minorities, particularly Black and Hispanic communities ❖ Rooted in policies like the “War on Drugs” and “Tough on Crime Laws.” ❖...

Impact of Mass Incarceration on Racial Disparities in the United States Sarai Azamar JS-104 Introduction ❖ Mass Incarceration disproportionately affects racial minorities, particularly Black and Hispanic communities ❖ Rooted in policies like the “War on Drugs” and “Tough on Crime Laws.” ❖ Analyze mass incarceration historical, theoretical, and policy-driven aspects to recommend reforms.  Literature Review: Historical Context ❖ War on Drugs policies in the 1980s disproportionately targeted Black and Hispanic communities, despite similar drug usage rates across races. ❖ Historical systems of racial control, like slavery and Jim Crow, evolved into covert mechanisms, such as red-lining and stop-and-frisk policies. ❖ Stop-and-frisk practices disproportionately targeted Black and Latino individuals, contributing to higher incarceration rates. Kilgore, J. (2010). Mass Incarceration: Examining and Moving Beyond the New Jim Crow. Muhammad, K. G. (2019). The Condemnation of Blackness. Fagan, J., & Ash, E. (2017). New Policing, New Segregation.  ❖ Black individuals are incarcerated 4.5 times more than whites; Hispanics 1.4 times more. ❖ Drug usage rates are similar across races, yet Black individuals face disproportionately higher arrests and convictions. ❖ It reveals how race, gender, and class compound injustices for Literature Review: Racial women of color (Crenshaw, 2013). Disparities Carson, E. A., & Anderson, E. (2019). Prisoners in 2015. Hartney, C. (2009). Created Equal: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the US Criminal Justice System. Crenshaw, K. W. (2013). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color.  Literature Review: Theoretical Frameworks ❖ Critical Race Theory (CRT): Laws and policies that appear neutral perpetuate systemic racial inequities. Example: Mandatory minimum sentencing disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic offenders. ❖ Labeling Theory: Systemic biases stigmatize minorities as "criminals," reinforcing incarceration cycles. ❖ Structural Strain Theory: Socioeconomic disadvantages foster conditions that increase crime in minority communities. Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2023). Critical Race Theory: An Introduction. Sampson, R. J., & Wilson, W. J. (2013). Toward a Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality.  Mandatory Minimum Sentencing: Removes Policy Critique judicial discretion, leading to harsher penalties for minorities (Tonry, 2011). Diversion Programs: Effective programs (e.g., drug courts) are not widely available, limiting their reach in minority communities. Political Resistance: Private prison operators and vested interests hinder reform efforts (Wacquant, 2020). Tonry, M. (2011). Punishing Race: A Continuing American Dilemma. Mitchell, O., et al. (2012). Assessing the Effectiveness of Drug Courts on Recidivism. Wacquant, L. (2020). Punishing the Poor. Policy Implications and Recommendations ❖ Economic Impacts: Mass incarceration limits wealth-building and employment opportunities, especially for minorities (Western & Pettit, 2010). ❖ Family Disruption: High incarceration rates destabilize families and harm children’s outcomes (Clear, 2009). ❖ Recommendations: Eliminate mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenses. Expand access to diversion programs and invest in community resources. Train law enforcement to recognize implicit bias in policing and sentencing. Travis, J., Western, B., & Redburn, F. S. (2014). The Growth of Incarceration in the United States. Clear, T. R. (2009). Imprisoning Communities: How Mass Incarceration Makes Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Worse.  ❖ Mass incarceration perpetuates systemic racial inequities and disrupts communities. ❖ Reform must focus on addressing root causes like poverty, racial bias, and systemic inequality. ❖ Call to Action: Advocate for equity-focused policies. Collaborate with communities to dismantle the Conclusion prison-industrial complex.  ❖ Carson, E. A., & Anderson, E. (2019). Prisoners in 2015. US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. ❖ Clear, T. R. (2009). Imprisoning Communities: How Mass Incarceration Makes Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Worse. Oxford University Press. References ❖ Crenshaw, K. W. (2013). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color. Routledge. ❖ Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2023). Critical Race Theory: An Introduction. NYU Press. ❖ Fagan, J., & Ash, E. (2017). New Policing, New Segregation: From Ferguson to New York. Geo. LJ Online, 106, 33. ❖ Hartney, C. (2009). Created Equal: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the US Criminal Justice System. National Council on Crime and Delinquency. ❖ Kilgore, J. (2010). Mass Incarceration: Examining and Moving Beyond the New Jim Crow. Critical Sociology, 41(2), 283-295. ❖ Muhammad, K. G. (2019). The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America. Harvard University Press. ❖ Tonry, M. (2011). Punishing Race: A Continuing American Dilemma. Oxford University Press. ❖ Travis, J., Western, B., & Redburn, F. S. (2014). The Growth of Incarceration in the United States: Exploring Causes and Consequences. ❖ Wacquant, L. (2020). Punishing the Poor: The Neoliberal Government of Social Insecurity. Duke University Press. ❖ Western, B., & Pettit, B. (2010). Punishment and Inequality in America. Russell Sage Foundation.