Research & Projects

Among the various political institutions that shape our society, we can also find the Penitentiary System, which is inevitably linked to both political systems and judicial systems. However, is mass incarceration the solution to the increasing crime rate? Is it improving the safety of citizens in our society? To give an answer to these questions we must take into consideration the Country with the highest incarceration rate in the World: The United States of America. By studying the history of the US Penitentiary System and the policies that led towards the creation of this institution, but also by studying the following consequences that affected the United States as a whole, we can understand if the incarceration system in the United States is actually effective or not. Downloadable here.

Objectives

Exploring and understanding the United States Incarceration System in order to acknowledge its effectiveness or lack of. 

The Prison System is one of many institutions that shape American society, and is linked to both the judicial and political systems. Considering the impact of the United States incarceration system on society is important in order to rethink policies to reduce not only crime but also poverty, and thereafter to reduce the impact of incarceration on the population, government expenditure, and politics. In the last few decades, scholars have highlighted the flaws of the prison system, emphasizing the need for a different approach to the rehabilitation of individuals and recognizing the system's deeply rooted racist foundations. Building on this research, this paper draws on current qualitative data, NGO reports, and previous academic articles. Based on this analysis, the paper assesses the effectiveness of policies, new social movements, and alternatives to incarceration. Through this approach the paper argues that incarceration is rooted in anti-blackness and prison abolition can reduce levels of racial disparity and racism.

Objectives

Studying the impact of incarceration from a political and policymaking viewpoint can inform policies and practices that can lead to a more just and equitable criminal justice system. Particularly, understanding the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Black communities is crucial for addressing the systemic racism embedded in the criminal justice system. From a political and policymaker viewpoint, it is important to consider the human cost of mass incarceration, particularly for Black communities. Incarceration not only destroys individuals, families, and communities, but also undermines democracy, by denying people the right to vote and further diminishing the representation of marginalized communities. 

Results

Prison abolition can reduce anti-blackness and improve racial justice by addressing the systemic racism within the criminal justice system and advocating for alternative forms of justice and rehabilitation that prioritize rehabilitation and community involvement. Considering Du Bois and Myrdal’s models, and understanding the difficulties of system impacted individuals, it becomes clear that prison abolition is a crucial step towards promoting racial justice and equality.