Mass Incarceration as A Mechanism to Gender Radicalized Control of Lower Socio-Economic Groups

Document Content and Description Below

Mass Incarceration as A Mechanism to Gender Radicalized Control of Lower Socio-Economic Groups Introduction Incarceration refers to the act of confining people who are suspected of committing crime... s in jail or prison. In most countries, the law has authorized police officers and lawmakers to arrest and detain such individuals. Mass incarceration is used in the United States and involves locking up criminals in federal, state, and local jails. The incarceration system in the United States is termed bias as it holds mostly minority groups, especially blacks and Latinos. For example, when it comes to drug use in the United States, black people are four times more likely to be prosecuted than the other white population. They also serve longer terms for any offences committed in contravention to their white associates. According to research on mass incarceration, more than 50 per cent of inmates in the United States are diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. This paper explores this topic and attempts to understand how this mass incarceration functioned as a tool for gendered, racialized control of lower socio-economic groups. Incarceration level in America over the past centuries have grown tremendously and internationally unique. The inequality brought about by mass incarceration is cumulative as it affects those with the least economic opportunities. This means that they get the harshest social and financial penalties as handed down by the justice system. This deepens their disadvantage as the marginalized groups. However, studies show that increased incarceration has no effect on violent crimes and mostly leads to higher crime rates, primarily when the action is concentrated on a particular group of people. Even though they might be useful for the marginalized groups who suffer the wrath of mass incarceration, they are stereotyped as the deficient group. They will find it hard not to engage in crime since they have already been labelled hence indulge in the actual crimes. [Show More]

Last updated: 1 year ago

Preview 1 out of 6 pages