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Rethinking Punishment in the Era of Mass Incarceration

Kenneth Parker

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Published in Rethinking Punishment In The Era Of Mass Incarceration (Routledge Studies In Contemporary Philosophy 93)

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Routledge Studies in Criminology and Criminal Justice

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Rethinking Punishment in the Era of Mass Incarceration (Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy 93)

Rethinking Punishment in the Era of Mass Incarceration (Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy Book 93)

by Chris W. Surprenant

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4792 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	344 pages

A Group Of People Protesting Against Mass Incarceration Rethinking Punishment In The Era Of Mass Incarceration (Routledge Studies In Contemporary Philosophy 93)

The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. In 2016, there were over 2.2 million people in prison or jail. This number has been steadily increasing for decades. The vast majority of people who are incarcerated are non-violent offenders. Many of them are poor and have low levels of education. They are often trapped in a cycle of poverty and crime.

The current system of punishment is not only failing to reduce crime, but it is also causing a host of social problems. Mass incarceration has led to the destruction of families and communities. It has also contributed to the racial disparities in the criminal justice system. People of color are disproportionately represented in prisons and jails.

There is a growing movement to rethink punishment in the United States. This movement is calling for a new approach to punishment that focuses on rehabilitation, restorative justice, and community involvement.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation programs aim to help people who have been incarcerated to change their behavior and become productive members of society. These programs can include education, job training, and counseling. Research has shown that rehabilitation programs can be effective in reducing recidivism. However, these programs are often underfunded and difficult to access.

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice is a process that brings together victims, offenders, and community members to address the harm that has been caused by crime. This process can help to heal the wounds of crime and to restore relationships. Restorative justice programs have been shown to be effective in reducing recidivism and in improving the lives of victims.

Community Involvement

Community involvement is essential for a successful system of punishment. Communities can help to provide support and resources to people who are incarcerated and returning home from prison. They can also help to prevent crime by creating opportunities for people to succeed.

The movement to rethink punishment is a growing one. There is a growing recognition that the current system is not working. We need a new approach to punishment that focuses on rehabilitation, restorative justice, and community involvement. This new approach will help to reduce crime, heal the wounds of crime, and create a more just and equitable society.

References

Alexander, M. (2012). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. New York: The New Press.
Bazelon, E. (2013). Charged: The new movement to change the way we think about crime and mass incarceration. New York: Random House.
Clear, T. R. (2017). Imprisoning communities: How mass incarceration makes dis

Rethinking Punishment in the Era of Mass Incarceration (Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy Book 93)

by Chris W. Surprenant

4.2 out of 5