Currently in the United States there are over two (2) million citizens incarcerated and hundreds of thousands on parole or probation. Americans hold the highest rate of incarceration in the history of the world. Some major factors are mandatory/minimum sentencing laws, poverty, the so-called war on drugs, and breakdown of families and communities as a whole.
Since the 1980’s the incarceration rate of women is the fastest growing population with 70% being non-violent crimes, or drug offenses, but yet they receive hard sentences. Many female inmates are head of households and/or sole providers of their families, and approximately 80% are mothers. This is a dangerous trend of incarcerating women due to the impact it has on families, it is NOT reducing crime but continues the cycle of broken families and communities.
Separation from their children is the hardest punishment of all; because incarcerated parents are leaving behind over a million children.
Studies show Blacks are over arrested and under defended. The so-called war on drugs is racist and is a war on poverty stricken Americans. It has been proven that Whites use drugs at a higher rate than Blacks, yet Blacks led in drug arrests and convictions.
We as Americans need to address the way we handle crime and punishment, especially drug and non-violent offenses. We seriously need to consider alternative sentencing, repeal minimum/mandatory sentencing laws, mental health and drug/alcohol treatment, also explore more productive rehabilitation policies. Women especially need alternative sentencing due to the impact it has on children and families. Many women are victims of abuse and are in co-dependent, financial relationships that cause them to make bad decisions, which leads to incarceration.
God please bless America.
No comments:
Post a Comment