Slammed: Welcome to the Age of Incarceration

// added April 13, 2009 // 46 comments //
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pjacobs51

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http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2008/07/slammed-welcome-age-incar...

The number first appeared in headlines earlier this year: Nearly one in four of all prisoners worldwide is incarcerated in America. It was just the latest such statistic. Today, one in nine African American men between the ages of 20 and 34 is locked up. In 1970, our prisons held fewer than 200,000 people; now that number exceeds 1.5 million, and when you add in local jails, it's 2.3 million—1 in 100 American adults. Since the 1980s, we've sat by as the numbers inched higher and our prison system ballooned, swallowing up an ever-larger portion of the citizenry. But do statistics like these, no matter how disturbing, really mean anything anymore? What does it take to get us to sit up and notice?

Apparently, it takes a looming financial crisis. For there is another round of bad news, the logical extension of the first: The more money a state spends on building and running prisons, the less there is for everything else, from roads and bridges to health care and public schools. At the pace our inmate population has been expanding, America's prison system is becoming, quite simply, too expensive to sustain. That is why Kansas, Texas, and at least 11 other states have been trying out new strategies to curb the cost—reevaluating their parole policies, for instance, so that not every parolee who runs afoul of an administrative rule is shipped straight back to prison. And yet our infatuation with incarceration continues.

If awards were granted to the country with the most surreal punishments, we would certainly win more than our share. Thirty-six straight years in solitary confinement (the fate of two men convicted in connection with the murder of a guard in Louisiana's Angola prison). A 55-year sentence for a small-time pot dealer who carried a gun during his sales (handed down by a federal court in Utah in 2004). Life sentences for 13-year-olds. (In 2005, Human Rights Watch counted more than 2,000 American inmates serving life without parole for crimes committed as juveniles. The entire rest of the world has only locked up 12 kids without hope of release.) Female prisoners forced to wear shackles while giving birth. (Amnesty International found 48 states that permitted this practice as of 2006.)

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  1. groups:
    News,   News and Politics,   Law and Justice,   Current Cultural Issues
  2. tags:
    News,  News and Politics,  Prisons

46 comments // Slammed: Welcome to the Age of Incarceration

  • MotherForTruth
  • Highr0ller
  • Virtual_Will_Rogers
    • 0
      Virtual_Will_Rogers  
    • MotherForTruth:

      Good response HighrOller...it is so amazing that the ones that caused all this seem to have very little or no concern for it...if there is a hell..then they must be adding an annex just for Bush...Cheney and all the others that had a part....if someone must be incarcerated they would be a grand place to start...and there is a Hell...those same characters have placed us in it....I hope America emerges soon with a new outlook and respect for sanity and Kindness...Golden Ruler...Will

    • 10 months ago
  • Robroy1
    • 0
      Robroy1  

    • I should hav known someone like Cheeneey would be involved in this maybe now we can him and Dumbya and the rest of thier crew in one of Cheenies own prisons for life. Since he is building them let him stay in one.

    • 10 months ago
  • MotherForTruth
    • 0
      MotherForTruth  

    • In the search for equality and fairness we lost the sense if equal justice and the confidence in the system. I am tired of “who is the bigger victim”, and “who can be blamed” games.

    • 10 months ago
  • Mikeysfake1
  • funnicus
    • 0
      funnicus [removed]  

    • Crime requires a victim, when you punish someone for a victimless crime, you are victimizing them, you are the *criminal.

      People leave jail with a new-found hatred of their government.
      People leave jail with Stockholm Syndrome, aka "treatment"
      People leave jail having had much time to think.

      People who have been in jail value their freedom more than they value a *criminal's life.

    • 10 months ago
  • AlexBush
    • 0
      AlexBush  

    • It doesn't help the matter that the former vice president of the US, Dick Cheney, is involved with one of the largest prison developers in the nation...

    • 10 months ago
  • Ooomill
    • 0
      Ooomill  

    • The classic american response to solve big problems is to declare war on it, war on drugs, war on crime, war between gangs, and so on ... add all these wars and its like a SECOND CIVIL WAR in america...
      American society is more and more controlled and not free. Controlled by the richest, the militarists, the repressive autorities and their industries (armament, security, prisons, credit, food and drugs)...
      Criminalized people are easier to control, lots of guns available make it easier to commit crimes, any crime commit with a gun means long time in prison.
      More americans are endebted now than ever, the majority of americans are obese (FAT), more and more are sick and need medical assistance and drugs. Those who can't afford medical treatment get sicker, those who can get poorer even if they have coverage.
      All this is not about freedom, it is a SYSTEM OF CONTROL which benefits an elite class. Since the 1980's, the middle class is gradually eroded by new measures put in place by the puppets of this elite, in parallel more prisons have been constructed and the cost of medical and drugs went astronomical.
      What will it be in 20,30, or 50 years, much worst situation or will some turnaround occur, maybe some politicians will take advice from other countries like Canada where these american problems sound like mad science-fiction.

    • 10 months ago
  • jubal
  • ras_menelik
  • PatrioticAstronaut
  • jh64487
  • Relevations
    • 0
      Relevations  

    • I picture a world where everyone will be fed and clothed...
      they will all be in jail...prison has become big business...right there with counting the moles on your ass and ripping your loved ones off.....undertakers....Golden Ruler...Johnnie Hargrave

    • 10 months ago
  • Scarabus
    • 0
      Scarabus  
    • Relevations:

      Prisons have been "privatized." That means the more prisoners, the more the plutocrats profit. And remember the case in, was it Philadelphia, where juvenile judges were on the take in exchange for consigning kids to privatized prisons?

      Let's contemplate the most right-wing, most cynical approach. Let's grant that everyone is ruled by greed. So we need to make it more profitable (financially, not morally) to behave rationally and morally.

    • 10 months ago
  • Relevations
    • 0
      Relevations  
    • Relevations:

      The only rule I follow is the Golden one...it is written nearly word for word in all religions and is the basis of most indigenous peoples writing and philosophy...I don't see why it is so hard for most people...don't want to be locked up...don't lock someone up..etc...it is about all you need for any Bible also...In the beginning....Golden Rule...man screws up...the end...short Bible....I still hold hope that a large majority of humans are decent...kind...loving...forgiving..compassionate....but man do those greedy bastards stand out....Hope I am not too wrong about the percentages.....Golden Ruler...Johnnie Hargrave

    • 10 months ago
  • 02
  • Robroy1
    • 0
      Robroy1  

    • Nice response Whitenoise and so true. This crime is a crime. Maybe America will wake up, I sure hope so, this prison system and the drug policies need to be dealt with and revisited as well as revised.

    • 10 months ago
  • keithponder
    • 0
      keithponder  

    • My son is currently being held in Escambia County Jail, in Brewton Alabama. He was stopped for speeding,last October, on I-65, coming from Baton Rouge Headed back to Atlanta.The cop detained him,after smelling weed in my son's car. He later found a 4 oz.bottle of prescription (codeine based)cough syrup in the trunk of his car. He kept the bottle and released my son.The bottle was sent to the Alabama Drug Task Force Crime Lab. for testing.

      In February of 09', Escambia County Grand Jury handed down an indictment for Opium trafficking against Akeen Brown.He is facing a 10 year mandatory sentence, with a maximum of 25 years for a bottle of cough syrup that did not belong to him. My son has since admitted to using syrup and smoking marijuana, however the Judge and the District Attorney refuse to allow him to plea down. They insist on trying him for trafficking.

      His bond is set at $1.5 million. This for a bottle of cough syrup. I've gone to see him a few times and he's frighten to death, as is his Mother.
      I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

      The County's Drug Court attempted to have the Judge defer the case over, and set up treatment program, since he has no priors and this is his 1st offense, but the Judge will not hear it. This is south Alabama.People wonder why there's a need for the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton ?

      I'm open to all idea's at this point. I'm devastated.Akeen is only 25 years old.He's 6'4",dark complected, with long dreads. I've warned him for wearing his pants of off his ass, because of racial profiling,(something that some people still refuse to believe does exist).He works for UPS. They love and are holding his job for him, if he makes it out of this HELL.

    • 10 months ago
  • pjacobs51
  • keithponder
  • Relevations
    • 0
      Relevations  
    • keithponder:

      Keith...So many things break my heart lately...that is why I have stayed away from Current for some time....this is there with them...this story is being repeated so many times...if incareration must exist...it should be for violent people that hurt others...not for loving souls like your son...may only the best come your way...and soon....the government makes more off the legal system and theft than they believe they would off of taxation...or drugs would be legal..it's that simple...Johnnie

    • 10 months ago
  • Scarabus
  • WhiteNoise
    • 0
      WhiteNoise  
    • keithponder:

      Dear keithponder,

      Your son is the embodiment of this sick cruel revolting racist joke of a US justice...

      Bring the case to Amy Goodman, she is sensitive to these kind of abuse, any media attention could help !
      Any general attorney we could e-mail ?
      Send me the names of the officials involved, all you can muster in private mode, I'll forward for info...
      This sucks so absurdly something's gotta give, could be one of those judge getting a kick back for every inmate he enrolls...facing such evil numbs the mind & soul...
      Thanks for sharing

    • 10 months ago
  • jubal
  • slarabee
    • 0
      slarabee  
    • keithponder:

      Keithponder

      Having had some experience with the legal system I can tell you that the most important thing you can probably do is begin researching everything you can about the specific statutes that your son is accused of violating by the number.

      The more that you know about the history and purpose of the statute the better you will understand as the case unfolds and in the event of worst case scenario you will be better prepared for the appeals process.

      I wonder right off the bat about the amount and specific prescription of cough syrup we are talking about that they are calling a distributional amount.

      Any other details that you can provide would be helpful and I would be happy to help you research the laws and issues surrounding your son's case.

      That said I wish your son good luck and pray that they come to a more reasonable charge that is appropriate.

    • 10 months ago
  • funnicus
    • 0
      funnicus [removed]  
    • keithponder:

      I swear you should go to a jury trial. Get him zero years instead of ten. They fear jury trial trust me. So many people now are for decriminalization, chances are way better than one in twelve of getting a holdout. Don't trust a public defender, make him serve YOU. not plea. He's in a tight spot! The public defender is not necessarily on his side either! They will try to talk him into laying down his life so their prison industry buddies can milk uncle sam for the babysitting money.

    • 10 months ago
  • slarabee
    • 0
      slarabee  
    • keithponder:

      Is this the statute you son was charged under?:

      http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/13A-12-231.htm

      Specifically subsection:

      (3) Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of, four grams or more of any morphine, opium, or any salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer thereof, including heroin, as described in Section 20-2-23(2) or Section 20-2-25(1)a., or four grams or more of any mixture containing any such substance, is guilty of a felony, which felony shall be known as "trafficking in illegal drugs." If the quantity involved:

      a. Is four grams or more, but less than 14 grams, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of three calendar years and to pay a fine of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

      b. Is 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 calendar years and to pay a fine of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).

      c. Is 28 grams or more, but less than 56 grams, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 calendar years and to pay a fine of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

      d. Is 56 grams or more, the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of imprisonment of life without parole.

      If so it would seem that the problem here is that is does not appear to matter under the statute whether or not he was actually trafficking as long as they can prove that he brought the substance in from another state.

      However the central issue here seems to me to be how much of a particular opiate is in a bottle of a specific prescription cough syrup.

      Without knowing specifically what syrup it is I can only guess but for the sake of argument lets consider Robutussin AC:

      See; http://www.rxlist.com/robitussin-ac-drug.htm

      So it states that each 5ml teaspoon contains Codeine Phosphate, USP: 10 mg

      So a 6 oz bottle or 177.44 ml would contain 355 milligrams = 0.355 grams of codeine.

      In order to be charged at the level you describe it would appear that the bottle of cough syrup your son was in possession of would need to contain 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams of codeine or some other opiate.

      That sounds like either very strong cough syrup of a very large bottle of cough syrup.

      Bear in mind I am no lawyer but it would surprise me if they can charge him with the entire volume of liquid as opiate because if I am not mistaken that would require some very complex analysis to convert the liquid volume to grams.

      If you find out what the cough syrup was and the size of the bottle I will look for the specifics as to the amount of opiate in the prescription.

      I hope this helps.

    • 10 months ago
  • funnicus
    • 0
      funnicus [removed]  
    • keithponder:

      Slarabee, unfortuneately they don't divide the weight like that. They go ahead and weigh the whole volume and pretend it's just lower grade "stuff". The wordage is "or any portion thereof" It falls under a federal drug rule. I hate to be a downer, but this is the law's argument, as if they found a few pot leaves in a bag of lawn mower clippings, they would weigh the whole bag and snag them a "big fish" they don't care whether you are guilty or not, it's just a notch on their belt.

    • 10 months ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • keithponder:

      keith, my heart goes out to you and your family. It's hard to get our children to realize the trouble they can get into, may be harder than they realize to get out of. I hope you find someone who is able to help. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    • 10 months ago
  • slarabee
  • slarabee
  • funnicus
  • slarabee
  • plusaf
  • keithponder
    • 0
      keithponder  
    • keithponder:

      Wow !

      It is extremely amazing to wake up, walk to my desktop, and read with my own eyes, these comments of concern and sincere support. I've propably gone around the table on some issues with some of you guys, but none the less, I appreciate your support.

      It gives me hope and courage to continue fighting back. Last night is the first night in weeks,that Ive gottten a full night of sleep.Thank you so much.

      Current Has Solidarity.

    • 10 months ago
  • slarabee
    • 0
      slarabee  
    • keithponder:

      @keithponder regarding plusaf's last comment.

      I could not agree with Plusaf more. It is important to get any media outlets that you can involved. With all the talk in the Media recently regarding prison overcrowding and failed drug laws now would be a good time.

      However in order to get the media's attention you will need to have any and ALL pertinent details and make sure that all your information is accurate.

      When I look at a story that involves the potential for injustice within our criminal justice system the first thing that kills it is ambiguity or incorrect information. So make sure you have it all correct and have double checked all the details. It can at times be easy enough to read something to mean something other than it really means.

      I cannot think of many better cases for the attention of the national media than a case like this.

    • 10 months ago
  • Vierotchka
    • 0
      Vierotchka  
    • keithponder:

      Keith, I am so sorry to hear about your son. There is nothing I can do to help from my side of the pond. Perhaps you could write to President Obama, both by snail-mail and on his website. Knowing your health problems, my heart goes out to you as well. Hang-in there. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

    • 10 months ago
  • Scarabus
    • 0
      Scarabus  

    • The irrational way the U.S. treats criminal justice in general, racial justice more particularly, isn't just wrong. It's stupid. It's suicidal. Have you seen the old movie "Reefer Madness"? It's funny in a "campy" sense. The trouble is, the irrational, totally uninformed paranoia reflected in that movie is determining legislation and law enforcement in our nation.

      The comment by WhiteNoise is way too diffuse and "ranty" to be fully effective (think rifle rather than shotgun, amico), but his central point is valid. The nation's drug laws are stupid. Prohibition all over again. In important ways, same result: teaching ordinary citizens to treat the law as a joke, and nurturing the growth of dangerous criminal organizations.

      Unintended result? Huge numbers of mostly men but also women who have been rendered incapable of functioning as productive citizens. They go right back to prison. Why? As one guy said, "I know how to deal with rapists and murderers. But I don't know how to relate to ordinary citizens." That guy was much happier in prison than out, and in just a short time he was back where he was most comfortable.

      Multiply that a gazillion times. And then read about Portugal.

    • 10 months ago
  • pjacobs51
  • WhiteNoise
  • WhiteNoise
  • Relevations
    • 0
      Relevations  
    • WhiteNoise:

      Whitenoise....I saw your reply to Keith and just want to say that it makes me feel comforted to know that there are souls like you on this great cruiseship...every day we go a million miles through space...and everyday you are there doing all you can to combat injustice..spending so much time and energy.....Thank you very much...Golden Ruler....Johnnie Hargrave

    • 10 months ago
  • WhiteNoise
  • Relevations
  • WhiteNoise
  • Virtual_Will_Rogers

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