With an estimated 2.4 million people behind bars, the United States reportedly incarcerates
more people than any other country.
So how did we get here?
Why are so many US Citizens in
prison?
Over the last 40 years, the prison population in the U.S. has risen by 700 percent.
This is
largely due to changes made in drug sentencing laws that started in the 1970s.
The zero- tolerance narcotic policies resulted in a
dramatic increase in prison numbers.
Nearly half of
federal inmates and 16 percent of state inmates are locked-up on drug-related charges.
Long sentences and mandatory minimums are also a factor.
Many states have variations on
the “three-strikes” law, where repeat offenders automatically receive life sentences
for their third
felony.
Rules have stayed in place despite studies showing that longer prison sentences and
higher incarceration rates have little effect on reducing crime.
These policies disproportionately affect minorities.
According to the NAACP about 58% of
the male prison population is made up of African African Americans and Hispanics,yet these
minorities make up only a quarter of the American population.
Racial minorities are more likely
to be arrested and convicted and once convicted they often face harsher sentencing than their
white counterparts.
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A more recent development affecting prison overcrowding has been the growing number of
privatised institutions.
For-profit companies now run many prisons in the U.S. These companies
are typically contracted by the government on the strength of affirmations that they
will uphold
the rights and welfare of inmates, all while saving taxpayers money.
However, a 2013 report from anti-privatisation group, In the Public Interest, recently
investigated these prison contracts.
Out of a total of 62 contracts, more than half (41) had
quotas stating that prisons must have 80 - 100 percent occupancy at all times.
If the state
and local governments fail to meet the quota they often pay thousands, sometimes millions
in
taxpayer money, for unused beds.
Which means it’s in the state’s interest to keep prisons full
regardless of whether or not crime rates are falling.
According to the report, Louisiana, for example, is locked into prison contracts with some
of the highest occupancy quotas in the country, earning the nickname of the “world’s prison
capital.”
It’s reported they have an incarceration rate nearly five times Iran's and 13 times
China's.
This is partially because in addition to private companies, Louisiana sheriffs are
reportedly also profiting off of prisoners.
In the early 1990s the state encouraged sheriffs to build more local jails in order to reduce
overcrowding, in return they would receive cash incentives.
Now, according to The Times- Picayune (pick-ah-YUNE) there are more inmates
in local jails than in state prisons despite the
fact that the state offers better re-entry programs.
Overcrowding has been exacerbated by the lack of a nationwide mental illness support
system.
The deinstitutionalization of mental health care in the 60s and 70s, left many patients
with no where to go.
Now more than half of the prison population is made of those with a history
of mental health problems.
Most experts agree that major prison reforms are needed on a state and national level,
and
programs like the ‘Smart Crime Initiative’ have attempted to rebalance drug sentencing
laws.
But as long as prisons are still working on a for-profit model, companies and states will
benefit
from arresting and detaining US citizens.
Although it’s different in every state, the death penalty is still a hotly debated
issue.
Check
this video out from our friends at DNews to learn more about the debate.
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