Name of Report: Race and Incarceration in the United States
Organizational Affiliation: Human Rights Watch
Author: N/A
Contact Information: Human Rights Watch www.hrw.org 350 Fifth Ave. 45th Floor; New York, NY 10118-3299; Phone:(212)290-4700
Date: February 27, 2002
Pages: 4 & appendix of tables
Content Summary
This brief report includes statistical information that outlines the racial disparities that are quite evident in the incarceration rates of African American and Latinos in the United States. The data was compiled together in the hope that it would be utilized by state residents when attempting to comprehend the impact of incarceration on the minority population within specific state domains. The statistics included in this report can be obtained from the 2000 U.S. Census. Moreover, significant attention in this report is geared towards pointing out the high racial disparities that exist among the individuals sentenced for drug offences.
Major Findings
While the total incarcerated population in adult facilities in the year 2000 was approximately 2 million people, 63% were Black or Latino. These numbers show a huge discrepancy in proportion, considering that these two groups only constitute 25 percent of the national population. In Rhode Island, the minority community accounts for over 50 percent of the incarcerated population. While Blacks account for 4.5% of the Rhode Island resident population, thy account for 35.9% of those incarcerated. In the case of Latinos, they account for 8.7% of the resident population and 20.7% of those in prison. The passage of mandatory minimum sentencing laws, "three strikes" laws, and truth in sentencing laws has increased the sentence length for 'violent crimes'. Black offenders constitute 45 percent of those arrested for violent crimes. As a result they are known to suffer from longer sentences. They are also more likely to be found in maximum security facilities. Another significant finding was that blacks constituted 62.6% of all drug offenders admitted to state prisons in the year 1996. It is quite evident that blacks are prosecuted in federal courts more frequently than whites for crack cocaine offenses opposed to powder cocaine, a drug in which more whites are caught doing. The report concludes by alluding to the severe nature of racial injustices under the scope of state criminal justice and law enforcement practices. The report ends on a hopeful note. The authors express hope that individuals will take in the alarming statistics and be moved to act.
Unaddressed issues or concerns
As a result of the brief nature of the report, only a very limited amount of data is offered. While the findings make note of the discrepancies between states in relation to the number of minorities being incarcerated, it would be appropriate to include more specifics and the states with the most discrepancies as well as offer how states are reacting to the problems. Moreover, in considering prison populations it is important to consider the percentages of people that are being re-incarcerated after having already served time. It is hypothesized that in a three year time span, almost seven out of ten former offenders will be re-arrested (Visher 89). By looking at this data, questions can be formed pertaining to the effectiveness of prison and re-entry attempts in general. Another component of the prison dilemma that needs some addressing is the rapid rates of increased incarcerated populations. Between 1973 and 2000, there was an increase in the prison population to 470 from 110 per every 100,000 people (Visher 89). More specifically, the incarceration rates for drug offenses were 148 inmates per 100,000 adults (Economist 25).
Reference List
- Visher, Christy A., and Jeremy Travis. "Transitions from Prison to Community." Annual Review of Sociology 29.1 (2003): 89-113
- "A Stigma That Never Fades." Economist 364.8285 (2002): 25-28
How to Access Report
http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/usa/race/