Incarceration Nation Review
Question
Personal Response Essay 1: Review: “Incarceration Nation”: Watch this video and write 750 words summarizing in detail the argument made by Michelle Alexander and what you think should be done.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/billmoyers/watchincarcerationnatio_b_4494311.html


Solution
Incarceration Nation Review
Michael
Alexander, the author of the Jim and Crow: Mass Incarceration in The
Age of Colorblind, is a human rights activist. She became an activist
after recognition in her activities and attempts to fight for black men. During
the interview with Moyers & Company, Michelle talks about
incarceration effects on ex-convicts. The USA has the highest number of inmates
compared to other nations like China, Russia, and Iran. The US legal system is
biased and discriminative. Most people who get imprisoned are black Africans
and other minority groups. More African Americans are under correction, parole,
and probation than were enslaved in the 1850s (“Incarceration Nation”). Between
1980 and 2013, federal inmates increased by 800 percent, from 25 000 to 225,000
(“Incarceration Nation”). Among the current imprisoned population, 60% fall
under racial and ethnic minority groups. This shows that no matter how hard the
nation has tried to prove that democracy and equality were achieved, it still
has not achieved that. Federal imprisonment mostly befalls the minority (“Incarceration
Nation”). The two major reasons for federal imprisonment are drug-related and
illegal immigration cases.
The
federal inmates' population keeps rising. Even with the decrease in crime
rates, imprisonment is still rising. Some of the reasons behind imprisonment
include the mandatory minimum sentencing imposed by prosecutors, lack of other
ways of dealing with convicts, lack of incarceration programs and assistance, lack
recovery services. A tendency of getting in and out of jail is common for most
ex-convicts. In most cases. 65 % of state paroles get back to jail within three
years, a third of them getting back in six months after release (“Incarceration
Nation”). Additionally, the privatization of prisons greatly contributes to an
increase in imprisonments. As quoted in a part of the agreement between prisons
and private corporations, the private corporations agree to give the services
only if the system guarantees them full beds (“Incarceration Nation”). Even
with the decrease in crime rates, the system must imprison more people.
Emancipation of ex-convicts is a challenge.
People who get out of prison are always challenged in getting normal lives. The
federal law bans people convicted of a drug-related felony from receiving
federal assistance for some time or lifetime. Additionally, most people
released from jail always face family eviction. It could be due to repeated
crimes and unmanageable behaviors, or the belief that they are criminals. An
example is Dominique Stacey, in Susan Burton's new way of life organization,
who feared getting back to her daughter after her release. As a result, some
end in the streets, desperate and unaware of what to do or where to start. The
ex-convicts are always denied the chance to get groceries, jobs, or public
housing. To some extent, ex-convicts get banned from schools. As a result, the
ex-convicts find themselves returning to the life they had before to survive.
The
nation and all people should help people released from jail. Denying them basic
human rights such as food, shelter, and education is not democracy
(“Incarceration Nation”). All humans should be viewed equally. Thus, inmates
should be treated as citizens when they get out of prison. They should be
allowed to get jobs and licenses back, which will help them survive. If given
groceries, the ex-convicts cannot suffer from a lack of food. Families should
also take back the released inmates, reducing their chances of getting to the
streets and committing crimes.
Movements
should be created to abolish mass incarceration. As Michelle proposes, building
the human rights movement to end all forms of legal discrimination against the
minority, which supports education and not incarceration, jobs and not jails,
can be helpful (“Incarceration Nation”). Additionally, like Susan Burton,
individuals should develop organizations that help ex-convicts. Donating to
such organizations and creating time to be a part of the ex-convicts can be
helpful. Also, helping the released recover would prevent them from falling
back to prisons again. For instance, ex-convicts’ women who join Susan's program
must stay away from drugs and attend recovery services. As a result, 70 % of
the 600 people who have been under her program have fully reformed.
Instead
of taking the offenders to jails, the system can get better correction methods.
This can only happen if the system aims to deal with the root causes of the
crimes. For instance, If Susan Burton got counseling and free drug treatment,
which resulted from losing herself after a police officer accidentally killed
her son, she would not have gone in and out of jail consecutively.
Works Cited
Moyer, Mill.
“Incarceration Nation”. Moyers & Company, Uploaded by
BillyMoyers.com on February 22, 2014, www.huffpost.com/entry/watch-incarceration-natio_b_4494311.




About Author
Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Essay Writers!
We have subject matter experts ready 24/7 to tackle your specific tasks and deliver them ON TIME, ready to hand in. Our writers have advanced degrees, and they know exactly what’s required to get you the best possible grade.
Find the right expert among 500+
We hire Gradewriters writers from different fields, thoroughly check their credentials, and put them through trials.
View all writers