Alexis Scott

English 102

Dr. Wynne

17 March 2017

Mass Incarceration on African Americans

Overtime, mass incarceration has been a major process that makes or breaks society

impacting individuals based on their thoughts. Awareness of this situation has been sinking ever

since slavery was popular and branded back in history. But on the other hand, the more outcomes

that are being revealed to society, African Americans are questioning why is it that they are

getting all the heat and pressure. Mass incarceration is not just among African Americans, it

gives impact to all in this nation; its just that it is more aware within the culture. When this

practice happens, most do not get the purpose of the unjust and the effects that takes place

amongst the African American culture. To determine those factors, four questions should be

considered:

1. What is mass incarceration?

2. What are the common causes of African Americans being imprisoned?
3. How does mass incarceration on African Americans affect society?
4. How can mass incarceration be less of an issue?

The following review on literature will explain the awareness that mass incarceration on

blacks is a big concern in society and how mass incarceration has a big impact on communities

and society to so there can be a positive change towards every individual.

What is mass incarceration?

 As incarceration is known to meaning an individual getting locked up, no one really

grasped the fact that mass incarceration is very aware. Individuals dont think of mass

incarceration when it comes to someone being imprisoned. In general, it does not substantially

apply to every race. For example, Bettie Ford; an elderly black woman was asked if mass

incarceration was thought about when it came to individuals being imprisoned. Her response

stated I never really thought about the term mass incarceration, only if it is targeted amongst

African American culture. This response shows that most people are unsure of what the accurate

definition of mass incarceration is. A clear definition of mass incarceration refers to the unique

way the U.S. has locked up a vast population in federal and state prisons, as well as local jails

(Knott). The awareness of this concept does not set a big controversy on society because many

individuals have different experiences and cultures. In regards to different experiences, most of

the causes of imprisonment on the African American culture triggers major impact on society.

What are the common causes of African Americans being imprisoned?

Due to the present actions that take place now with incarceration, history repeats itself.

Dating back to the time of segregation, and the civil rights movement, many blacks were suspect

in going to jail just for standing up and defending themselves for justice. Today is different, but

its more in advance. Back then, African Americans were disrespected because of their color, but

as of today, there are specific policies or actions that still can be considered unjust. African

Americans are subjected to incarceration commonly for having the possession of drugs, trading

them and using them. The reason for this is beyond their culture. Western stated that The drug

trade itself became a source of economic opportunity in the jobless ghetto (Western). Since

African Americans are mostly categorized to be unemployed, drug possession is likely to be

considered a common cause. As drug possession is a cause, it also leads to the cause of police
brutality. The act of people getting pulled over in their vehicle became common overtime, the

reason for this shows that police are aiming for a certain product; drugs. In Quigleys top 40

reasons of why jails are full of blacks and poor, police discriminate was #2. He states that the

first step begins with interactions between police and people. (Quigley). And the current

situations that have recently been announced such as the Mike Brown incident was aimed for the

police thinking that the victim was suspect. More causes of African Americans being imprisoned

include juvenile arrest and poor people not being able to pay certain fees. For juvenile arrest,

black children are more targeted to go to juvenile. Quigley stated that African American

students are 16 percent of those enrolled in schools but 27 percent of those referred to the

police. (Quigley).

How does mass incarceration on African Americans affect society?

African Americans have a major effect on society due to being a part of mass

incarceration, especially family. With African American men, they have the biggest impact on

society when it comes to incarceration. Because they are men, they are the actual bread winners

within a family. Once a man is imprisoned, it hurts the wife, the mom and the children. For

example, if an employed man is incarcerated, it will affect the funds and emotions of family.

McDowell states that incarceration has a clear and significant impact on ones labor which

means that leads marriage rates, family formation and stable unions to be destroyed (McDowell).

Children are also prone to different behaviors and affects due to a parent being incarcerated. With

children having incarcerated parents, their behaviors change due to homelessness, higher rates

of poverty, family instability and poor and mental health. (McDowell). As the trend become

normal life event, Western stated that parental incarceration has become a common place for

children. Not only does it affect others, it affects the man too. The NAACP stated that One in
six black men had been incarcerated as of 2001. If current trends continue, one in three black

males born today can expect to spend time in prison during his lifetime. (NAACP). This affects

the current man that is growing towards the future and drowns hope for males. To follow up with

hopes and dreams, Moyhihan states that while many young negroes are moving ahead to

unpresented levels of achievement, many more are failing further and further behind. (Coates).

In the book, The Punitive Turn, shows a graph on page 64 that reveals the percentage

of jobless in prison or jail from 1980-2008. The data shows that black people have the highest
rate/ percentage at ages 20-24. The effect on African American males show that men are not able

to be successful because of the burden of being incarcerated.

How can mass incarceration be less of an issue?

Mass incarceration can be less of an issue by policies being more supported and bring

upon to make improvements within our nation. Change wont happen in just a minute, but it will

take effort. On page xii, McDowell states that only that we recognize that social change is a

complicated process. (McDowell). But with the process, more awareness could be acted

through protests, social movements and speeches to get every individual attention. A survey was

conducted on twitter that asked Does anyone believe that mass incarceration on African

Americans is a major concern in society?. Out of a total of random 77 votes, 87% said yes, 13%

said no. The results show that most people care for the term of mass incarceration, but it is

unknown to what race takes place in voting for question poll.

Conclusion
Mass incarceration has lasted as long as slavery has been existed. The concept of mass

incarceration has given awareness to the selected race of African Americans due to experience of

unemployment, poor environments and on the parental incarceration situation. Many believe that

mass incarceration is not a big of a deal because all races have not been exposed. Most people

seek change and is slowly waiting for improvement within society. Discovering the causes, the

history and the effects on the culture reviewed the actual important of mass incarceration on

Blacks.