MASS
Incarceration
Civil War Ends Slavery
Jim Crow
At the end of the Civil War slavery was abolished. Although under law it was illegal to have slaves, it didn’t stop America from finding new ways to oppress black Americans.
In 1877, the introduction of Jim Crow laws were established. They were a set of anti-black laws the overtook the US. Thus began segregation of race.
Convict Leasing System Here we see very shortly after slavery is abolished that a new law allows incarcerated people, in particular black men, to be leased as workers to private individuals.
Zoot Suit Riots
The First “War on Drugs� is Declared
This called national attention to the racially violent acts of law enforcement. Before these riots, criminal justice matters were handled by local or state law enforcement. After it the misconduct and police brutality shown during these riots change needed to happen
Although the specific law, Harrison Narcotic Tax Act, isn’t crucial to understanding mass incarceration, it is important to note that this is the first but most certainly not the last time a War on Drugs will be declared in the US.
Civil Rights Movement Emergence of the Civil Rights Movement as we know it, which uses civil disobedience strategically in national campaigns. Non-violent protestors, most of them Black, are routinely met with violence.
1950 Law Enforcement Assistance Act The Mentally Ill Become Criminals? In 1955, the deinstitutionalization of mental health hospitals began. There was less and less attention and care for the mentally ill so it became the courts problem. Pretty soon the numbers started racking up as the mentally ill became a trend in jails and prisons country-wide.
With strong support from the Johnson Administration, Congress enacted the Law Enforcement Assistance Act. This legislation established the Office of Law Enforcement Assistance to award grants and administer other programs aimed at improving and expanding law enforcement, court administration, and prison operations at the state and local levels. The dollar amounts involved were small, but the political significance was considerable. This measure engaged the federal government in criminal justice and law enforcement, both rhetorically and substantively, to an unprecedented degree.
0’s - 1970’s President Nixon Declares War on Drugs President Nixon declaring a war on drugs set a new precedent for all of America. At this time we see more than ever non-violent criminals, drug users and dealers, being sent to prison hence the spike in incarceration rates.
Assassination of John F. Kennedy The assassination of John F. Kennedy near the end of the primary season, helped tip the balance in favor of the Safe Streets Act. Two weeks after the assassination, Johnson signed the Safe Streets Act, though with considerable reluctance.
Incarceration Ratio In 1972, 161 U.S. residents were incarcerated in prisons and jails per 100,000 population
Incarceration Statistic
Sentencing Reform Act
An important thing to note is that the number of incarcerated prisoners rose from 40,900 people to over 450,000 people by 2015.
This imposed mandatory minimum sentencing for convicted criminals, eliminating judicial discretion. At this time 34,00 incarcerated ‘criminals’ were serving life sentences and in regards to the Sentencing Reform Act, that number more than doubled by the early 1900’s.
Reagan Administration Declares a War on Drugs It is inferred that Reagan needed a greater excuse to rid of black freedom in America, hence the declaration of the new war on drugs. The main outbreak cause were drugs in relation to (black) ghettos.
1980’
Anti-Drug Abuse Act This act set a minimum of a 5 year sentence w/o parole for possessing 500 grams of crack cocaine, most commonly found among the black community and 500 grams of powder cocaine, more so used by whites. At this time a poll revealed that 2% of the American public believed illegal drugs to be a pressing issue yet it was still made a big deal in an effort to incarcerate blacks more so than drug users. However this view changes in 1988.
Initiative 593 Washington passes Initiative 593, a three-strike law which states that life without parole for those convicted of certain felonies for third time.
Clinton Signs Welfare Reform President Clinton signing the welfare reform created more obstacles for convicted drug felons.
’s - 1990’s
2000’s - To 9/11 On this horrific day a terrorist left a lasting impression of who we view as dangerous in our country. Because of this, a War on Terror was started and even more intrusive and harsher policing was enforced.
Incarceration Statistic According to The Sentencing Project, between 2008 and 2009 the highest number of incarcerated people was reported at 1.6 million people
Crack and Powder Cocaine Federal Fair Sentencing Act reduces 100:1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine to 18:1.
oday Incarceration Statistic: Racial Disparity
Reduction of Overcrowding California institutes Public Safety “Realignment” to reduce state prison population, under Supreme Court order to reduce overcrowding. Shifts responsibility for people convicted of non-violent, non-serious, and non-sexual offenses from state prisons to local jails and probation.
According to the Sentencing Project, Whites had a presence of close to 500,000 incarcerated people and Blacks had 20,00 plus more people. Hispanics were at 319,000 and ‘other’ represented 135,000 people.
Edward Snowden Edward Snowden reveals the extent of US phone surveillance. 87% of wiretaps are used in cases where “drug o ense” is the most serious suspected crime.