Abstract
Reports from the U.S. Justice Department, in 2003 revealed that approximately 10.4 percent of African American men between age 25 to 29 were incarcerated, in comparison to 2.4 percent of Hispanic men and 1.2 percent of Non-Hispanic white men (US Justice Department, 2003).This has created some measure of concern within the African Diaspora in and out of United States of America. Why are Black men in this age group so much more likely to be in jail than people of White or Latino descent? (US Justice Department, 2003).What are the comparative incidences of criminal prosecution, convictions, prison sentences, and time served by race and ethnicity among these distinct groups; African American, Hispanic, and White men. What are the prevailing factors or variables associated with who gets involved in crime, why, and what happens to them in the criminal justice system? What is the comparative ratio of judges, lawyers, and lawmakers in relation to the three groups mentioned involved in sentencing of these individuals. Is this suggestive of structured inequality; racial profiling or racial discrimination? (US Justice Department, 2003).Is this another form of subjugation infiltrating American society? In the following pages of this document the researcher will engage in a passionate investigation into realties now facing this group of men in our society because it has escalated into a social, environmental and emotional problem among African American households and communities.
Sociology: Incarceration of African American Men
Introduction
It is no secret that this phenomenon of a contemporary development of African American men imprisonment, above any other ethnic groups in society is so obvious that it has caught the attention of journalists, writers, sociologist and politicians alike. Nsenga Burton (2011) writing in March 2011 issue of The Root captioned, ‘More Black Men in Prison Today Than Were Enslaved in 1850’ (Burton, 2011).
Certainly, this raises a dilemma suggestive that black men in America are more enslaved now than they were in 1850. The form of slavery has mutated from plantation labor enforcement towards compulsory or forced imprisonment in the twenty-first century. Further reports are that as of 2008, 840,000 black men were imprisoned forming 40.2% of the total amount of inmates (Burton, 2011).
Michelle Alexander (2010), a renowned American Social activist, also caught the action by penning the words ‘The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of ColorBlindness.’ Alexander (2010) emphasized in her exposition concerning the new face of Jim Crow that prisons are modern invention techniques derived to keep certain segments of the society in perpetual segregation (Alexander 2010).
The sequel to imprisonment as it exits in America is that ex-convicts are deprived of many facilities enjoyed by those who escape the experience; moreso that when 95 % of them are released, social structure organization flooded with disenfranchisements force 75% of them back into pursuing a career of imprisonment with very little hope of retuning to normalcy in civil society (Alexander, 2010)
Is this a deliberate attempt to keep African American men from fulfilling their positions as role models for their sons; fathers to their daughters; brothers to their sisters, sons to their parents and valuable contributors to politics and decision making in their communities? Sociologists, religious leaders, politicians as well as concerned citizens around the world are seeking out answers in the name of justice to arrest this monster in American social structure organization.
Incidence of criminal prosecutions and sentencing among
African American, Whites and Hispanics
James Williams (2011) writing for the North Carolina Bar Association reiterated that racial disparity outcomes are obvious in the criminal justice system nationwide. For example, the ratio has been a persistent 3-1 since 2009 for African American males, Hispanics and Whites (Williams, 2011)
The incarceration rate of African American males is an alarming 6(5.6) in relation to whites and Hispanics.32% of all black males in America can expect to serve time for offences committed as against 17% Hispanics and 6% whites. Citing North Carolina as a classic example Williams (2011) confirmed that for 2008-2009 African American males were responsible for 46% misdemeanor 56% felony convictions when they are only 21% of the population profile (Williams, 2011)
Besides Williams (2011) continues his contention to state that African Americans account for 60% of the prison inmate population in North Carolina. Precise incarceration rates reveal that African American males are imprisoned at 1,727 per 100,000 whereas whites 320 per 100,000.There were no figures for Hispanics. It was concluded that while this is the scenario in 2011 across America with North Carolina being a sample of the eventualities; law enforcement cannot be cited as the only predisposing factor. Serious related psychosocial elements are linked to this phenomenon (Williams, 2011).
Factors or variables associated with criminal activities and outcomes
Research has proven where the dilemma of imprisonment encountered by African American males has far reaching repercussions as well as insidious cultural and economic implications. Angela Hatter (2007) and Earl Smith (2007) in their book, ‘African American Families’ accounted for ‘African American Males and the Problem of Incarceration’ by saying that incarceration of uncles, brothers, fathers, grandfather, nephews and boys is a culture inherent in black communities. More importantly, they confirmed that it spreads across generations and is an adaptation not confined to prison (Hatter & Smith, 2007).
They highlighted a political imposition which concentrates on imprisonment. The target group at this point in time is African American males.It may change or remain as long as group members do not become liberated mentally. An associating psychosocial device depicted in explaining factors or variables associated with criminal activities and outcomes is the growth of prisons; expenditure of national budget towards their maintenance and conditions during imprisonment (Hatter & Smith, 2007).
Precisely, it can be viewed as an economic venture funded by African American males which in fact has nothing to do with crime, but rather having a group of people to always occupy this space. The most vulnerable are innocent African American males and to a lesser extent immigrants. Prisons are total institutions that supplement other institutions such as legal, economics and politics.
Further, the authors expounded on the role drug laws play in enhancing imprisonment and growth of prisons. Is there really a drug problem in American or do drug laws create the problem as in many other crime outcomes? This question is worth considering when evaluating incarceration of African American males (Hatter & Smith, 2007).
In considering criminal activities likely to place African American males behind bars; criminologists argue that from the time of arrest to sentencing, implied and implicit racial biases cloud decisions made by prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, parole officers, prison officials as well as officers involved in monitoring them upon release (Williams, 2011). As such, for minimal offences not considered for imprisonment to other ethics groups will land an African American male in jail.
Distribution of Judges, lawyers and prosecutors by race and ethnicity.
A publication of Connecticut Post in May 2010 disclosed discontent among concerned citizens who argued that there was need for a more balanced ethnic/racial representation among Judges and Law makers within the state’s legislative structure. It was leveled at Governor M. Lodi Rell who refused to include a black neither Latino nominee among 10 candidates selected for the Superior Court Judgeships (Dixon, 2010).
This scenario is indicative of the judicial system in America. While minor modifications are attempted in some black majority states, there is much much more to be achieved when the situation is examined in its entirety. Comprehensively, it has been recognized that judicial diversity improves decisions made by prejudice American courts, but to date even with a black president in congress, it is difficult to unite the judicial system across the country among racial lines.
Implications of Structural Inequality Equalities
While structured inequality is the suggested theoretical paradigm alluding to the dilemma of African American male prisoners; there are a number of other sociological as well as socio-psychological perspectives linked to this experience. As was suggested by Hatter and Smith (2007) it is a situation that goes beyond incarceration which must be interpreted physically, metaphysically, socially and spiritually. Therefore, structured inequality alone in itself cannot explain the plight of African American men in the twenty-first century prison system.
Assumptions embodied in theories of structural inequality declare that biases are deliberately built into social organizations, institutions, governments, networking groups or even families that would enable one person or groups to progress above the other (Liao, 2009). From research conducted through this assessment there is glaring supportive evidence of structural inequalities within the politics of America’s judicial system.
Social scientific speculations relate an attempt at regressing to Jim Crow era of segregation. It is important to note however, that this black segregation culture goes way beyond the prison system, but glares the international scene as well. For instance, Cuban refugees are harbored in this country without any documents; offered housing, money, citizenship, scholarships, Medicaid benefits plus paid return visits back to Cuba if they so desire; while Haitians are mutilated and sea; hunted down and deported.
What greater structural inequality is projected internationally by the immigration system? Besides, society is festered with economic, social, educational, employment disenfranchisements among racial ethnic groups, even with an African American President in the white house. What a paradox! It can be concluded then, that the plight of African American males being prisoners in their own country is indicative of America’s policy concerning blacks in the world.
Moreso, this situation can further be theorized as labeling; symbolic interaction; dramaturgical approach and even a self concept issue. From a labeling perspective African American males are a classified group in the American society. Even without committing a crime they are labeled ‘prisoners’ from the onset. Jail becomes a symbol for which many of them have come to identify as a way of life. In America it is common to go to jail. No longer is a stigma placed on someone released from jail as in developing societies.
With a dramaturgical approach they live up to the fulfilling prophesy of being resources for American prisons. The cycle for 75% of African American male prisoners is that they fight to get out when they get in, fight to get back in after being released because life appears rather comfortable there. Emphatically, social structures of prisons in America encourage inmates to remain in that comfort zone.
Conclusively, the element of structural inequality enforces a ‘prisoner’ self concept that labels the African American male ‘jail material.’ With symbolic interactionsm he begins to identify with the system of accommodation since father, brothers, uncles, grandfather all have lived there for some portion of their lives if not all. According to Hatter and Smith (2007) there are functions for when they get admitted to jail and released. Families hold parties for the event. (Hatter & Smith 2007). Then the drama continues from generation to generation so let it be!
Conclusion
The question has been often asked among concerned religious and women groups, what can be done to keep 75% of African American males from returning to jail? While this is a commendable notion of addressing implications of this phenomenon, why can’t we ask what we can do as members of the African Diaspora in America and around the world to keep our boys out of jail? This would certainly force the Obama/ Bush administration to reduce huge deficits created from prison construction/ enhancement; sustenance of a prisoner culture and luxurious salaries paid to correction officers. Can we do it? Yes we can!
America leads the world in imprisonment of people; America is supposed to be a developed nation; America is expected to be an example to the world in terms of social values; but America is a nation festered with inequalities even though it projects to the rest of the world that it is a land of immense opportunities. Yes! This includes the opportunity to be among an alarming amount of black men found in their prison system.
References
Alexander Michelle (2010) The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of
ColorBlindness. New York: New Press
Burton Nsenga (2011) More Black Men in Prison Today Than Enslaved in 1850. The root.
Dixon, Ken (2010). Judges and lawmakers need more mix. Connecticut post
Hatter Angela, Earl Smith (2007) African American Families. New York: Sage.
Liao Tim (2009). Conceptualizing and measuring Structural inequality. CIOLE
US Department of Justice (2003). Prison Statistics. Retrieved (2003, Nov 2) from
http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/
Williams James (2011) Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System; North Carolina Bar
Association. Retrieved (2nd Nov 20110 from
http://criminaljustice.ncbar.org/newsletters/criminaljusticefeb11/racialdisparities.aspx
