In the
introduction of Arrested Justice:
Black Women, Violence, and America's Prison Nation by
Beth
Ritchie, she talks about her work and experience as a black feminist. And she
highlights her frustration with America being a prison nation.
Ritchie
explains that a prison nation is a reflection of public policy, which
increasing criminalization of disenfranchised communities (3). When thinking
about this, I think of the prison-industrial-complex. Originally, the prison
system was created to be an extension of slavery. Individuals from marginalized
groups are disproportionately arrested. The jobs that prisoners are doing is
for private companies. Meanwhile, the company is profiting largely from the
cheap labor provided by the inmates.
By
criminalizing disenfranchised communities, the people are stripped of certain
freedoms like the right to vote. Unfortunately, being classified as a felon
makes it increasingly harder to obtain a job. This can cause ripple effects. Individuals
may commit more acts of crime as a means of financial security. Because they
may not be able to attain government assistance for food or housing. Prison is
supposed to rehabilitate offenders so that they are capable of being a “productive”
and “active” member of society. But, it is not.
Being that
I am from an impoverished community, I am exposed to this a lot. A person that
I know has been in and out of the system for years for charges related to
marijuana possession, resisting arrest, and more. I unfortunately do not know
of the first encounter with the prison system, but I notice the effects. He is
currently married and unemployable. His wife is the head of the household. http://www.prisonabolition.org
Their family is using government assistance, which is provided to his wife.
Some
activist is fighting for restorative justice in hopes of using alternative
methods of punishment in order to rehabilitate inmates. Do you think
restorative justice will help inmates be lawful citizens?
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