Mass Incarceration: The New Jim Crow

The United States accounts for 5% of the world’s population but 25% of its prisoners. Behind the staggering numbers lies a story of systemic inequality. Black Americans are incarcerated at nearly five times the rate of White Americans, with sentencing disparities for similar crimes during the gap.

Consider Eric, a 25-year0old caught with a small amount of marijuana. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Meanwhile, Jake, and White man of the same age, received probation for the same offense. The difference? Wealth, race, and access to a good lawyer.

Mass incarceration isn’t just about crime; it’s about policies like mandatory minimums, cash bail, and over-policing in certain neighborhoods. The solution starts with reforming these polices, investing in community resources, and addressing the systemic biases that fuel the prison-industrial complex.