The Criminal Justice System Is Viewed As A Black Problem

The current crime and incarceration trends have declined since early 1990s, which in part is due to the current reforms that takes place within the criminal justice system, such as early release dates for drug charges and non-violent crimes (Mauer, 2011). The incarceration rates in the United States are â€Å"three to four times that of other industrialized nations,† and the punishment scale is viewed as â€Å"out of proportion to that of other industrialized nation† (Mauer, 2011). Mauer (2011) reported â€Å"in many respects the driving force of mass incarceration is the racial dynamic of criminal justice policy.† He points out that due to extreme incarceration rates among the African American community, the criminal justice system is viewed as a â€Å"black problem† (Mauer, 2011). At a national level, 80 percent of the populations incarcerated were of African American decent, which provides evidence that laws can be discriminatory (Mauer, 2011). The current crime and incarceration trend makes sense to me somewhat, and it also makes me uneasy. In my opinion, it makes no sense to keep individuals with drug related charges incarcerated for 24 years, which was the sentence Kemba Smith initially received (Mauer, 2011). I agree with the early release of drug and non-violent offenders, if they have been rehabilitated through education. I believe some crimes are committed based on the social learning theory. If someone has been taught to make a quick hustle versus gaining employment thatShow MoreRelatedRacial Discrimination And The Criminal Justice System1512 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough saying the criminal justice system is racist is a controversial statement, there is evidence and statistics that prove it to be true. Research and evidence validate the issue of racism to be undeniable. Equality and justice are out of reach with the racism that takes place in our criminal justice system and our country. 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