Racism In The Justice System
Racism is very much real, it’s alive, and it’s evident that it is destroying the United States’ Justice System. This country is the world’s leader in incarceration, there are 2.2 million people in prisons and jails nationwide. This number increased by 500% over the last 40 years. Although this is not due to changes in crime rates, it’s changes in laws, policies, and none other than racism. There are several issues in the justice system, the first being there is an excessive amount of incarcerated people. And those numbers continue to grow. Residents born in the 2001— these residents are only fifteen or sixteen year old as of 2017—have the highest likelihood to be incarcerated for life, with statistics reaching 1 in all 9 of all men and 1
in 56 women. Let these numbers sink in. There were over four million births in 2001, 440,000 men and 71,429 women of that group will be incarcerated for life without parole. This can be resolved by eliminating lengthy sentences and imposing a maximum of 20 years on prison terms, and mandatory minimum sentences. Mandatory minimum sentences do not work and violate individualization and proportionality. These terms essentially mean that sentences are made to fit the crime and offender. With these sentences violent crime offenders such as murderers and rapists can “get off easy.”
in 56 women. Let these numbers sink in. There were over four million births in 2001, 440,000 men and 71,429 women of that group will be incarcerated for life without parole. This can be resolved by eliminating lengthy sentences and imposing a maximum of 20 years on prison terms, and mandatory minimum sentences. Mandatory minimum sentences do not work and violate individualization and proportionality. These terms essentially mean that sentences are made to fit the crime and offender. With these sentences violent crime offenders such as murderers and rapists can “get off easy.”