Mass Incarceration in the United States

 

The United States has one of the biggest mass incarceration problems in the world. This is because a considerable part of its population, about 2.4 million are in federal, state, or local incarceration facilities (Wagner and Sakala). A consequence has been that the large population of incarcerated individuals has led to a situation where it has become the backbone of the prison industrial complex. Over the last three decades, there has been a quadrupling of the prison population of the country, and this is mainly because of the get tough on crime policy that has essentially gotten even individuals with petty crimes imprisoned. The draconian war on drugs has also contributed significantly to mass incarceration, and this has been disproportionately focused on minority and poor populations in the country. Mass incarceration has become a hallmark of the United States justice system and it has come about because of such instances as the war on drugs, and the central role of states. Furthermore, it has had a social and cultural impact on minority communities, while at the same time increasing state budgets considerably.

The war on drugs has had a significant impact in the United States because it has led to an increase in its prison population. This is especially considering that one in every a hundred American is in a prison facility (Chapman, Carey and Ben-Moshe). The prison population in this country is quite considerable and it has far exceeded those countries that have an actual drug war with cartels. The prison population of Mexico, for example, is three times less than that of the United States; a sign that the latter may have gone overboard when it comes to the enforcement of justice in society. The United States accounts for about a quarter of the world’s prison population and this is a significant status because it shows that despite the level of crimes having gone down over the years, the prison population is still on the rise. It also shows that the United States has failed to bring about reforms in its justice system to ensure that individuals who have committed petty crimes are given lighter sentences such as community service rather than being incarcerated.

American states have also played a central role in the development of mass incarceration in the country. States have for the most part been resistant to federal interference in their justice systems and this has been to such an extent that they have for the most part kept federal authorities from investigating the conditions in their prisons. A result is that states account for the majority of individuals who have been incarcerated in the country and this shows the considerable role that they have played in ensuring that individuals are incarcerated for longer periods (Campbell, Vogel and Williams 181). The establishment of policies such as mandatory minimum sentences as well as putting more people in prison for longer periods has led to a situation where the prison population has become higher than anticipated. It has also allowed for the creation of a situation where it has become difficult for proper reforms to be undertaken so that the disproportionate incarceration rate can be reduced. States have essentially failed to undertake the reforms necessary to ensure that rather than putting people away, they should be provided an opportunity for rehabilitation so that the social and economic impacts can be significantly reduced.

The cultural impact of mass incarceration on minority communities in the United States cannot be underestimated. This is because a disproportionate number of members of these communities have been incarcerated; resulting in a situation where a considerable number of these communities have been negatively affected. Some families have ended up growing up without one or both parents, and the lack of role models has led some individuals to end up dropping out of school and getting into a life of crime (Osler and Bennett 127). In addition, there have been situations where members of minority communities affected have been caught up in the cycle of endless poverty to such an extent that they do not know any other type of life. The latter situation often comes about because a majority of the most active members of the community have been incarcerated; leading these communities not to have individuals who can work and bring in stable incomes for their families. The failure by the justice system as well as the proponents of the war on drugs to consider these factors has led to an increase of the problem rather than its reduction, hence the high incarceration rate.

The increasing costs of mass incarceration have led to a situation where states are encountering tighter budgets. Governors and lawmakers have ended up in a situation where, despite their hard stance when it comes to crime, they have been forced towards promoting an increase in reforms within the criminal justice system (Mitchell and Leachman 8). This is an important step because it allows for more investment to be put in such programs as drug treatment and parole so that there can be a reduction of the number of individuals who are incarcerated for lesser crimes. Such individuals as nonviolent drug offenders should not be in prison because they only increase the burden on taxpayers. It is important that more reforms are undertaken in the criminal justice system so that it can be possible to end the problem of mass incarceration to be brought to an end. However, there is currently considerable resistance at the state level for these reforms to be undertaken and it will be a while before the idea is accepted as inevitable.

Mass incarceration is a problem in the United States that has to be tackled as soon as possible to avert a social and economic crisis. The prison industrial complex has grown considerably over the decades and it has led to special interests having a stake in it. The result is that these special interests are the ones that are resistant to much needed reforms. It is therefore important for all levels of government to consider alternative options when it comes to dealing with offenders that focus on rehabilitation rather than mass incarceration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Campbell, Michael C, Matt Vogel, and Joshua Williams. "Historical Contingencies and the Evolving Importance of Race, Violent Crime, and Region in Explaining Mass Incarceration in the United States." Criminology 53.2 (2015): 180-203. Print.

Chapman, Chris, Allison C Carey, and Liat Ben-Moshe. "Reconsidering Confinement: Interlocking Locations and Logics of Incarceration." Disability Incarcerated. Springer, 2014. 3-24. Web.

Mitchell, Michael, and Michael Leachman. "Changing Priorities: State Criminal Justice Reforms and Investments in Education." Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. October  (2014). Print.

Osler, Mark William, and Mark W Bennett. "A'holocaust in Slow Motion?'America's Mass Incarceration and the Role of Discretion."  (2014). Print.

Wagner, Peter, and Leah Sakala. "Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie." Northampton, MA: Prison Policy Initiative  (2014). Web.