Social Consequences Of Mass Incarceration

Three major consequences or costs of mass incarceration is, one, sever social consequences. Another consequence is sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy. The third consequence is the ability to vote. These three consequences are severe enough where it affects America as a whole. Now, I will discuss each consequence in a little more detail. This will help in the answer of why these consequences are so detrimental to America. I will also, be summarizing the article the Sentencing Project’s (2013) policy brief which touches on major social interventions which helps with the mass incarceration problems we face The first consequence I will speak of is,
the severe social circumstances which comes from mass incarceration. The book speaks of one and twenty-eight minors have a parent in prison. Which in turn leads them down the path of poverty and depression .This increases the chance for delinquency. This will eventually lead to them going to prison themselves. To me that idea speaks the nature vs. nurture philosophy what they see around them makes them who they are usually. The next consequences I will speak on are the increased incidents of STD’s. This consequence is increased by the absences of fathers and the lack of a relationship between them and their children. The book speaks of mass incarceration wreaking havoc on interpersonal relationships. The third consequence I will speak of is the denial of voting powers for those who have felony convictions.
This consequence has a very hurting relationship because; it takes away the voice of the minority in the democracy of our country. This happens because the minority of this country makes up the larger amount of prisoners in our country. The statics the book speaks on are that six times the amounts of black man are incarcerated then that of white males in America. This means that there are more men incapable of voting in the black community then that of the white community. These three consequences are approached now by an article to which helps, try to minimize theses consequences while also trying to lower the cost of law enforcement and correctional costs. The programs offered are early childhood development program which helps in the early initiative to help the parents and the children at a younger age to help reduce child abuse and neglect. The other program offered helps the juvenile justice system the program is called Functional Family Therapy or FFT for short. This program focuses on providing skills to adults who has the ability to best impact their child’s
behavior. The program works mainly on interactions between juveniles with delinquency problems and their family members to help them provide structure for their kids. The last program focuses on the community and what it can do to help with the process. The community where the crimes takes place needs to be involved more in their own safety so organizing organizations in the community which can help at risk teens can help significantly I know when I was a child we listened to our neighborhood and everyone knew one another. The parent had permission to “handle” us if need be and I think I stayed out of trouble knowing I had two forms of punishment coming is I did wrong. The programs discussed are definitely the right approach to be taken by us a people and us as a nation to help see us go in the right direction. While at the same time helping the nation save money on harming our people and now can use it to help us as a people.