Our Reflections

Sophie -

Before beginning this project, I knew mass incarceration was an issue in our country, but was blissfully unaware of its magnitude and far-reaching impact.  When I started researching mass incarceration, I was blown away by the initial facts; one online source led me to purchase The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.  I read the book in less than a week and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about mass incarceration.  Deep connections between racism and classism reverberated through the literature and research I explored; mirroring conversations had during class about the intersections of privilege and oppression.  I found myself feeling astounded, shocked, horrified, and angry about our nation’s criminal justice system. How could it be so unjust? 

For me, the first step in ameliorating this issue is awareness.  If individuals take the time to explore the statistics of those incarcerated, look at the history of the War on Drugs, and acknowledge the disparities within our country’s courtrooms, mass incarceration will no longer be an issue that can be hidden away and forgotten.  Additionally, I believe more work and funding needs to be allocated toward supporting and rehabilitating former inmates.  How can a former inmate be expected to “pick themselves up” and “make a better life” when access to resources are ripped away and employers will not hire them?  Alternatives to incarceration need to be explored and support provided to those leaving the prison system. 

Moving forward, I will continue to educate myself as well as the others around me and in my life.  I will connect with local organizations that support former inmates and who are battling the issue of mass incarceration.

 Caitlin -

            Inequality and racial disparity in the justice system was something I was familiar with prior to doing this project. I was also somewhat familiar with mass incarceration, and the incredible rate at which the US is willing to lock up its citizens rather than invest in other methods of social support. However, I was not fully aware of the long term causes and consequences of mass incarceration.

This project helped me dig a little deeper into the root of the issue, and understand the whole scope of mass incarceration. What I realized is that incarceration is a cycle that begins far before prison and extends far after prison. In addition, formerly incarcerated individuals get thrown back into their communities with very little access to resources, and face a lot of structural discrimination that prevents them from really being able to get back on their feet. As I learned, many people who have been incarcerated once are likely to end up in prison again, mainly due to a lack of resources and immense social marginalization.

           

            Another thing that was emphasized for me through this project is that we live in a very individualistic country that has a “you get what you deserve” mentality. The problem with this mentality is that it overlooks all the systemic issues that are at play, particularly with incarceration. Statistics show that men of color do not commit more crimes than white men, yet they are far more likely to end up in prison. This cannot be explained away by logic – there are deeper social implications that need to be exposed and contested.

            Through our research we found that there are organizations that are trying to advocate for change in the justice system. Many of these organizations focus on support and resources, both before and after incarceration. Their work got me thinking about the bigger picture –we need to invest more in social support, particularly for those who come from low-income communities. However, our individualistic, capitalistic nature prevents us from focusing on what would really solve the problem. Prison is not the answer. We need to get to the root of the problem, which is much more ingrained in social inequities and the oppressive systems that grow out of these inequities. Ironically, changing the systems that contribute to mass incarceration would benefit everyone – we spend an exorbitant amount of money on the criminal justices system every year, but studies have shown that reinvesting this money into education, health care, housing, intervention programs, and other social services would actually be less expensive and more effective. While there are some organizations working on this issue, there definitely needs to be more widespread awareness about this issue. Because mass incarceration and racial disparity in the criminal justice system are both deeply intertwined with education, it is important for me to understand and continue to educate myself about these issues.