Essays on Mass Incarceration

Mass incarceration is a term for the extremely high rate of incarceration in the United States for both adults and youth. It refers to the large number of Americans who are at higher risk of being, who are currently, and who have been, incarcerated in jail, prison or subject to a court-ordered probation.

There are three factors that sustain mass incarceration: 1) over-policing in redlined and marginalized communities, 2) longer sentencing for minor crimes, and 3) endless restrictions after being released.

The four priorities to incorporate in reform to reconstruct justice system: 1) reducing crime, 2) rethinking how we define crime and sentencing, 3) rehabilitating incarcerated individuals, and 4) ensuring that people successfully re-enter their communities. With these goals in mind, there is potential to reconstruct a system that will provide and enforce justice for all.

The "war on drugs" is responsible for America's massive prison and jail populations.
The United States has one of the highest incarceration rates.
91 percent of people transitioning from incarceration report experiencing food insecurity.