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Let's take a look at race, incarceration and prison labour in the US. I'll start with two graphics from http://www.sentencingproject.org , showing a state and federal prison population of 1,458,173 in 2016, and a total of 2.2 million people in the nation's prisons and jails combined.
Let's take a look at race, incarceration and prison labour in the US. I'll start with two graphics from http://www.sentencingproject.org , showing a state and federal prison population of 1,458,173 in 2016, and a total of 2.2 million people in the nation's prisons and jails combined.
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Here is a startling graphic from the same website, based on data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
White men are, to a significant degree, less likely to be incarcerated than non-white men.
White women are much less likely to end up behind bars than non-white women.
Here is a startling graphic from the same website, based on data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
White men are, to a significant degree, less likely to be incarcerated than non-white men.
White women are much less likely to end up behind bars than non-white women.
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So, the US has generally high levels of incarceration, with minorities more likely than whites to go to federal and state prison.
According to Wikipedia, black people are 13.4% of the US population but, as per Pew research, outnumber whites in prison:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/30/shrinking-gap-between-number-of-blacks-and-whites-in-prison/ft_18-01-10_prisonracegaps/
So, the US has generally high levels of incarceration, with minorities more likely than whites to go to federal and state prison.
According to Wikipedia, black people are 13.4% of the US population but, as per Pew research, outnumber whites in prison:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/30/shrinking-gap-between-number-of-blacks-and-whites-in-prison/ft_18-01-10_prisonracegaps/
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Another important part of the picture is the fact that black people tend to receive longer sentences than white people convicted for the same offenses.
To begin, let's look at a short extract from one 2017 article about the sentencing of black males:
https://eji.org/news/sentencing-commission-finds-black-men-receive-longer-sentences
Another important part of the picture is the fact that black people tend to receive longer sentences than white people convicted for the same offenses.
To begin, let's look at a short extract from one 2017 article about the sentencing of black males:
https://eji.org/news/sentencing-commission-finds-black-men-receive-longer-sentences
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Regarding black women, it seems that they get lighter sentencing for lighter skin (left).
They also get harsher, more punitive sentencing, and are stereotyped more viciously, than convicted white females (right).
Left:
https://newsone.com/1328605/light-skin-black-women-prison-sentences/
Right:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-so-many-black-women-a_b_35409
Regarding black women, it seems that they get lighter sentencing for lighter skin (left).
They also get harsher, more punitive sentencing, and are stereotyped more viciously, than convicted white females (right).
Left:
https://newsone.com/1328605/light-skin-black-women-prison-sentences/
Right:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-so-many-black-women-a_b_35409
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If you look at Hispanic males, they too receive longer average sentences within the federal criminal justice system than their white counterparts for the same offenses.
They tend not to get as long in prison as convicted black males, however.
https://freebeacon.com/issues/black-men-get-longer-sentences-federal-system-report-finds/
If you look at Hispanic males, they too receive longer average sentences within the federal criminal justice system than their white counterparts for the same offenses.
They tend not to get as long in prison as convicted black males, however.
https://freebeacon.com/issues/black-men-get-longer-sentences-federal-system-report-finds/
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Hispanic women in the US were imprisoned at 1.4 times the rate of white women in 2017.
Latina women are roughly three times as likely as white women to end up incarcerated.
The overall US female prison population is growing faster than the male one.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/news/new-prison-jail-population-figures-released-u-s-department-justice/
Hispanic women in the US were imprisoned at 1.4 times the rate of white women in 2017.
Latina women are roughly three times as likely as white women to end up incarcerated.
The overall US female prison population is growing faster than the male one.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/news/new-prison-jail-population-figures-released-u-s-department-justice/
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The racial disparities described here occur against a background of increasingly lengthy prison sentences in general, and a fourfold increase since 1984 in the no. of inmates locked up for life (161,957 as of 2016).
Left:
https://www.newsweek.com/prison-sentences-increased-2017-jail-639952
Right:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Still-Life.pdf
The racial disparities described here occur against a background of increasingly lengthy prison sentences in general, and a fourfold increase since 1984 in the no. of inmates locked up for life (161,957 as of 2016).
Left:
https://www.newsweek.com/prison-sentences-increased-2017-jail-639952
Right:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Still-Life.pdf
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A quick note before examining the prison-industrial complex and the use of prison labour for corporate profit;
Research has detailed how black ex-prisoners can be disproportionately stigmatised after incarceration, compared to whites.
Oct 2008 paper:
http://www.npc.umich.edu/publications/u/working_paper08-16.pdf
A quick note before examining the prison-industrial complex and the use of prison labour for corporate profit;
Research has detailed how black ex-prisoners can be disproportionately stigmatised after incarceration, compared to whites.
Oct 2008 paper:
http://www.npc.umich.edu/publications/u/working_paper08-16.pdf
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Minority incarceration is driven by recidivism due to employee prejudice against minority ex-prisoners (tweet 9), & police quotas that can lead to racial profiling & focus law enforcement on disadvantaged neighborhoods.
L:
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/aggressive-policing-quotas/398165/
R:
https://prospect.org/article/race-and-tragedy-quota-based-policing-0
Minority incarceration is driven by recidivism due to employee prejudice against minority ex-prisoners (tweet 9), & police quotas that can lead to racial profiling & focus law enforcement on disadvantaged neighborhoods.
L:
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/aggressive-policing-quotas/398165/
R:
https://prospect.org/article/race-and-tragedy-quota-based-policing-0
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A picture emerges of discriminatory law enforcement and imprisonment in the US.
Despite a recent mild drop in the incarcerated population nationwide, the US still has a massive number of people behind bars.
(In 2016, 8.5% were in private prisons.)
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/04/24/the-us-prison-population-is-shrinking
A picture emerges of discriminatory law enforcement and imprisonment in the US.
Despite a recent mild drop in the incarcerated population nationwide, the US still has a massive number of people behind bars.
(In 2016, 8.5% were in private prisons.)
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/04/24/the-us-prison-population-is-shrinking
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Further, a large chunk of the prison population in the US is locked up for drug offenses.
SWAT raids disproportionately target minority neighborhoods for drug searches, and black people tend to receive longer sentences than whites for drug offenses.
https://www.vox.com/2014/7/1/5850830/war-on-drugs-racist-minorities
Further, a large chunk of the prison population in the US is locked up for drug offenses.
SWAT raids disproportionately target minority neighborhoods for drug searches, and black people tend to receive longer sentences than whites for drug offenses.
https://www.vox.com/2014/7/1/5850830/war-on-drugs-racist-minorities
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So we've shown that the US locks people up for (often for not much) and keeps minorities behind bars for longer than whites.
Let's move on in the following tweets to the topic of corporate exploitation of prison labour.
L:
https://returntonow.net/2016/06/13/prison-labor-is-the-new-american-slavery/
R:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/02/americas-incarceration-rate-is-at-a-two-decade-low/
So we've shown that the US locks people up for (often for not much) and keeps minorities behind bars for longer than whites.
Let's move on in the following tweets to the topic of corporate exploitation of prison labour.
L:
https://returntonow.net/2016/06/13/prison-labor-is-the-new-american-slavery/
R:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/02/americas-incarceration-rate-is-at-a-two-decade-low/
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How many companies buy labour performed within the prison industrial complex, which includes both private for-profit prisons (which also receive taxpayer money for housing inmates) and state and federal owned facilities?
L:
https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/corporations-and-governments-collude-in-prison-slavery-racket/
R:
https://www.greenamerica.org/hidden-workers-fighting-change/sale-now-prison-labor
How many companies buy labour performed within the prison industrial complex, which includes both private for-profit prisons (which also receive taxpayer money for housing inmates) and state and federal owned facilities?
L:
https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/corporations-and-governments-collude-in-prison-slavery-racket/
R:
https://www.greenamerica.org/hidden-workers-fighting-change/sale-now-prison-labor
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Wal-Mart
Below-left is a shot from a 2012 article on Wal-Mart's over-stocks and returns getting processed by prison inmates.
Wal-Mart has also purchased produce from Martori Farms, a corp. using female state prisoners.
L:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/walmart-prison-labor_b_2224743
R:
https://www.mic.com/articles/7771/wal-mart-alec-scandal-company-subjects-female-prison-laborers-to-slave-like-conditions
Wal-Mart
Below-left is a shot from a 2012 article on Wal-Mart's over-stocks and returns getting processed by prison inmates.
Wal-Mart has also purchased produce from Martori Farms, a corp. using female state prisoners.
L:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/walmart-prison-labor_b_2224743
R:
https://www.mic.com/articles/7771/wal-mart-alec-scandal-company-subjects-female-prison-laborers-to-slave-like-conditions
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McDonald’s
Here's a 2015 article (left) about McDonald's buying uniforms and plastic utensils from a company using prison labour.
Al Jazeera (right) mentions McDonald's uniforms in a piece on the prison labour industry.
L:
https://popularresistance.org/identifying-businesses-that-profit-from-prison-labor/
R:
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/09/slavery-prison-system-170901082522072.html
McDonald’s
Here's a 2015 article (left) about McDonald's buying uniforms and plastic utensils from a company using prison labour.
Al Jazeera (right) mentions McDonald's uniforms in a piece on the prison labour industry.
L:
https://popularresistance.org/identifying-businesses-that-profit-from-prison-labor/
R:
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/09/slavery-prison-system-170901082522072.html
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Raytheon/Lockheed Martin
Prison labour has benefited the US military-industrial complex. According to the 2011 article below, prisoners have worked on Patriot missiles parts for 23¢/hour.
Please note the company name Unicor. We'll look at them next.
https://www.wired.com/2011/03/prisoners-help-build-patriot-missiles/
Raytheon/Lockheed Martin
Prison labour has benefited the US military-industrial complex. According to the 2011 article below, prisoners have worked on Patriot missiles parts for 23¢/hour.
Please note the company name Unicor. We'll look at them next.
https://www.wired.com/2011/03/prisoners-help-build-patriot-missiles/
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UNICOR is the trade name for Federal Prison Industries, a wholly-owned government corp. established in 1934.
It is a correctional programme selling its own products and also supplying inmate labour to private industry.
L:
https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/unicor_about.jsp
R:
https://www.prisonerresource.com/unicor/unicor-federal-bureau-prisons/
UNICOR is the trade name for Federal Prison Industries, a wholly-owned government corp. established in 1934.
It is a correctional programme selling its own products and also supplying inmate labour to private industry.
L:
https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/unicor_about.jsp
R:
https://www.prisonerresource.com/unicor/unicor-federal-bureau-prisons/
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As of 2016, Unicor had 60+ factory operations in 52 federal prisons.
It has its own products, which it mostly sells to the federal government.
Unicor also supplies inmate labour for making Lockheed and Boeing parts, etc., as shown in tweet 17 above.
https://www.unicor.gov/Category.aspx?idCategory=1417
As of 2016, Unicor had 60+ factory operations in 52 federal prisons.
It has its own products, which it mostly sells to the federal government.
Unicor also supplies inmate labour for making Lockheed and Boeing parts, etc., as shown in tweet 17 above.
https://www.unicor.gov/Category.aspx?idCategory=1417
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Unicor states that it operates at no cost to taxpayers & reduces recidivism.
It does, however, supply cheap labour (housed by tax dollars) to some private companies, & has been accused of undercutting small businesses.
L:
https://www.unicor.gov/publications/reports/FY2017_AnnualMgmtReport.pdf
R:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/unicor-prison-labor_n_1778765?guccounter=1
Unicor states that it operates at no cost to taxpayers & reduces recidivism.
It does, however, supply cheap labour (housed by tax dollars) to some private companies, & has been accused of undercutting small businesses.
L:
https://www.unicor.gov/publications/reports/FY2017_AnnualMgmtReport.pdf
R:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/unicor-prison-labor_n_1778765?guccounter=1
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For now, one last word on Unicor:
Some federal agencies are obliged to use Unicor (FPI) as the priority supplier for certain items (some details below-left).
This has caused friction with small businesses (below-right).
L:
https://www.unicor.gov/sopalphalist.aspx
R:
https://money.cnn.com/2012/08/14/smallbusiness/federal-prison-business/index.html
For now, one last word on Unicor:
Some federal agencies are obliged to use Unicor (FPI) as the priority supplier for certain items (some details below-left).
This has caused friction with small businesses (below-right).
L:
https://www.unicor.gov/sopalphalist.aspx
R:
https://money.cnn.com/2012/08/14/smallbusiness/federal-prison-business/index.html
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Prison labor isn't just used to make goods. It can also come in handy for major corporations wanting to clean up a mess.
After the Deepwater Horizon explosion, BP used predominantly black prison inmates to clean up oil.
L:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2011/mar/15/prisoner-labor-used-to-clean-up-bp-oil-spill/
R:
https://www.thenation.com/article/bp-hires-prison-labor-clean-spill-while-coastal-residents-struggle/
Prison labor isn't just used to make goods. It can also come in handy for major corporations wanting to clean up a mess.
After the Deepwater Horizon explosion, BP used predominantly black prison inmates to clean up oil.
L:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2011/mar/15/prisoner-labor-used-to-clean-up-bp-oil-spill/
R:
https://www.thenation.com/article/bp-hires-prison-labor-clean-spill-while-coastal-residents-struggle/
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Things haven't always been this way.
A major change in practices related to the use of prison labour in the US occurred in 1979 when the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program was initiated, causing prison industry profits to skyrocket.
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/203483.pdf
Things haven't always been this way.
A major change in practices related to the use of prison labour in the US occurred in 1979 when the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification Program was initiated, causing prison industry profits to skyrocket.
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/203483.pdf
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PIECP created an exception to federal laws stopping sale of prisoner-made goods in competition with the private sector. Its programmes are exempt from the $10,000 limit on sale of inmate-made goods to the Fed Gov.
L:
https://nationalcia.org/wp-content/uploads/PIECP-a-Program-History.pdf
R(2 pics):
https://nij.gov/journals/257/pages/real-work-programs.aspx
PIECP created an exception to federal laws stopping sale of prisoner-made goods in competition with the private sector. Its programmes are exempt from the $10,000 limit on sale of inmate-made goods to the Fed Gov.
L:
https://nationalcia.org/wp-content/uploads/PIECP-a-Program-History.pdf
R(2 pics):
https://nij.gov/journals/257/pages/real-work-programs.aspx
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How has the prison labour industry grown since 1979? According to the below-left article, profits grew from $392M to $1.31B between 1980 and 1994.
The Economist article below puts the recent industry size over $1billion.
L:
https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-prison-industry-in-the-united-states-big-business-or-a-new-form-of-slavery/8289
R:
https://www.economist.com/united-states/2017/03/16/prison-labour-is-a-billion-dollar-industry-with-uncertain-returns-for-inmates
How has the prison labour industry grown since 1979? According to the below-left article, profits grew from $392M to $1.31B between 1980 and 1994.
The Economist article below puts the recent industry size over $1billion.
L:
https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-prison-industry-in-the-united-states-big-business-or-a-new-form-of-slavery/8289
R:
https://www.economist.com/united-states/2017/03/16/prison-labour-is-a-billion-dollar-industry-with-uncertain-returns-for-inmates
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The next significant legislation boosting the prison labour industry was the American Legislation Exchange Council's Prison Industries Act (1995).
This act explicitly promoted the use of prison labour for private gain.
L:
https://ja.scribd.com/document/59334595/ALEC-Prison-Industries-Act
R:
https://www.thenation.com/article/hidden-history-alec-and-prison-labor/
The next significant legislation boosting the prison labour industry was the American Legislation Exchange Council's Prison Industries Act (1995).
This act explicitly promoted the use of prison labour for private gain.
L:
https://ja.scribd.com/document/59334595/ALEC-Prison-Industries-Act
R:
https://www.thenation.com/article/hidden-history-alec-and-prison-labor/
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Who are the American Legislative Exchange Council? An organisation financially backed by the Koch bros.
ALEC backed the Sourcebook of American State Legislation that included the model bill for the Prison Industries Act.
L:
https://www.bayoubuzz.com/dir/index.php/item/655019-alec-kochs-hate-louisiana-welfare-not-corporation-farm-gimmes
R:
https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Talk:Koch_Brothers_and_ALEC
Who are the American Legislative Exchange Council? An organisation financially backed by the Koch bros.
ALEC backed the Sourcebook of American State Legislation that included the model bill for the Prison Industries Act.
L:
https://www.bayoubuzz.com/dir/index.php/item/655019-alec-kochs-hate-louisiana-welfare-not-corporation-farm-gimmes
R:
https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Talk:Koch_Brothers_and_ALEC
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In the year before ALEC's 1995 sourcebook, Bill Clinton signed a major law enforcement act which added new federal offenses and included a 'three strikes' provision requiring persons convicted of a severe violent felony plus two previous convictions to serve a life sentence.
In the year before ALEC's 1995 sourcebook, Bill Clinton signed a major law enforcement act which added new federal offenses and included a 'three strikes' provision requiring persons convicted of a severe violent felony plus two previous convictions to serve a life sentence.
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There is debate about the effects of Bill Clinton's 1994 crime bill, so first let's look at the US prison population in the years before and after 1994.
As seen below, a spike in prison populations was already underway.
L:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Trends-in-US-Corrections.pdf
R:
https://thinkprogress.org/the-exponential-growth-of-american-incarceration-in-three-graphs-1f095a5c0b4/
There is debate about the effects of Bill Clinton's 1994 crime bill, so first let's look at the US prison population in the years before and after 1994.
As seen below, a spike in prison populations was already underway.
L:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Trends-in-US-Corrections.pdf
R:
https://thinkprogress.org/the-exponential-growth-of-american-incarceration-in-three-graphs-1f095a5c0b4/
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What's happened with US incarcerated populations since 1994 in terms of racial demographics and overall number is nuanced...
First, let's look at what 'three strikes' means.
California's Proposition 184 was an example of a strict three strikes law:
https://lao.ca.gov/2005/3_Strikes/3_strikes_102005.htm
What's happened with US incarcerated populations since 1994 in terms of racial demographics and overall number is nuanced...
First, let's look at what 'three strikes' means.
California's Proposition 184 was an example of a strict three strikes law:
https://lao.ca.gov/2005/3_Strikes/3_strikes_102005.htm
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Three strikes laws have been criticised for having a disproportionate impact on black offenders (the ACLU links this to the war on drugs).
Below right: stats from CA about 10 years after its three strikes law was passed.
L:
https://www.aclu.org/other/10-reasons-oppose-3-strikes-youre-out
R:
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/04-10_tac_caracialdivide_ac-rd.pdf
Three strikes laws have been criticised for having a disproportionate impact on black offenders (the ACLU links this to the war on drugs).
Below right: stats from CA about 10 years after its three strikes law was passed.
L:
https://www.aclu.org/other/10-reasons-oppose-3-strikes-youre-out
R:
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/04-10_tac_caracialdivide_ac-rd.pdf
32/
What is the War on Drugs? Please find a definition highlighted below-left.
Despite the fact that whites and blacks use and sell drugs at similar rates, black people are much more likely to be locked up for drug offenses.
L:
http://stats4stem.weebly.com/war-on-drugs.html
R:
https://www.naacp.org/criminal-justice-fact-sheet/
What is the War on Drugs? Please find a definition highlighted below-left.
Despite the fact that whites and blacks use and sell drugs at similar rates, black people are much more likely to be locked up for drug offenses.
L:
http://stats4stem.weebly.com/war-on-drugs.html
R:
https://www.naacp.org/criminal-justice-fact-sheet/
33/
Here's the ACLU saying how, despite similar rates of drug use among white and non-white Americans, 40% of those arrested for drug offenses are black.
The screenshot on the right is their list of recommended actions to bring about drug policy reform.
https://www.aclu.org/other/against-drug-prohibition
Here's the ACLU saying how, despite similar rates of drug use among white and non-white Americans, 40% of those arrested for drug offenses are black.
The screenshot on the right is their list of recommended actions to bring about drug policy reform.
https://www.aclu.org/other/against-drug-prohibition
34/
And some info on race and drug-related incarceration at the state and federal level...
Left pic: Race breakdown for state prison for 2014.
Right pic: Most common race of offender by drug type in federal prison, c. 2012.
L:
https://drugwarfacts.org/chapter/race_prison
R:
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/dofp12.pdf
And some info on race and drug-related incarceration at the state and federal level...
Left pic: Race breakdown for state prison for 2014.
Right pic: Most common race of offender by drug type in federal prison, c. 2012.
L:
https://drugwarfacts.org/chapter/race_prison
R:
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/dofp12.pdf
35/
Before we circle back to race and three strikes laws, let's look at the history of the War on Drugs.
Although the concept of curtailing drug use and eradicating production of narcotics wasn't new, it was the policy stance of Nixon that popularized the term 'War on Drugs'.
Before we circle back to race and three strikes laws, let's look at the history of the War on Drugs.
Although the concept of curtailing drug use and eradicating production of narcotics wasn't new, it was the policy stance of Nixon that popularized the term 'War on Drugs'.
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At a press conference in 1971, Nixon declared drug abuse 'public enemy number one', reiterating similar earlier statements.
He established the DEA in July 1973 so as to have a single agency to enforce federal drug laws.
L:
https://www.nixonfoundation.org/2016/06/26404/
R:
https://www.greenentrepreneur.com/article/296559
At a press conference in 1971, Nixon declared drug abuse 'public enemy number one', reiterating similar earlier statements.
He established the DEA in July 1973 so as to have a single agency to enforce federal drug laws.
L:
https://www.nixonfoundation.org/2016/06/26404/
R:
https://www.greenentrepreneur.com/article/296559
37/
The DEA classifies drugs into 'schedules' according to their acceptable medical use and dependency potential.
Nixon ignored the advice of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse and made cannabis Schedule I.
L:
https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling
R:
http://naturalsociety.com/thank-president-nixon-dea-us-prison-industry-classifying-marijuana-schedule-drug/
The DEA classifies drugs into 'schedules' according to their acceptable medical use and dependency potential.
Nixon ignored the advice of the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse and made cannabis Schedule I.
L:
https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling
R:
http://naturalsociety.com/thank-president-nixon-dea-us-prison-industry-classifying-marijuana-schedule-drug/
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Despite all this, Nixon also recognized the important of treatment for addiction.
His administration targeted most of its drug budget towards treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, unlike subsequent administrations.
L:
https://www.smartdrugpolicy.org/nixon-and-the-start-of-the-drug-war-1969-1974/
R:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/doitwork.html
Despite all this, Nixon also recognized the important of treatment for addiction.
His administration targeted most of its drug budget towards treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, unlike subsequent administrations.
L:
https://www.smartdrugpolicy.org/nixon-and-the-start-of-the-drug-war-1969-1974/
R:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/doitwork.html
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Marijuana arrests jumped after the establishment of the DEA (in the 70s, blacks were about twice as likely to be arrested for drugs as whites.)
Info from the ACLU below shows the modern racial disparity in weed arrests.
L:
http://www.briancbennett.com/charts/fed-data/pot-arrests.htm
R:
https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers
Marijuana arrests jumped after the establishment of the DEA (in the 70s, blacks were about twice as likely to be arrested for drugs as whites.)
Info from the ACLU below shows the modern racial disparity in weed arrests.
L:
http://www.briancbennett.com/charts/fed-data/pot-arrests.htm
R:
https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers
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Now for crack.
According to HRW, in 1998 most crack users were white. Per the CJPF, in 2012 most crack users were white but black people were 21.2 times more likely to go to federal prison on a crack charge than whites.
L:
https://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/usa/Rcedrg00-05.htm
R:
https://www.cjpf.org/who-uses-crack-cocaine-and-why
Now for crack.
According to HRW, in 1998 most crack users were white. Per the CJPF, in 2012 most crack users were white but black people were 21.2 times more likely to go to federal prison on a crack charge than whites.
L:
https://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/usa/Rcedrg00-05.htm
R:
https://www.cjpf.org/who-uses-crack-cocaine-and-why
41/
Reagan re-declared the War on Drugs on Oct. 14, 1982...
And signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which mandated 5 years without parole for having 5 grams of crack.
The media played along, sensationalizing crack use.
L:
https://timeline.com/ronald-nancy-reagan-war-on-drugs-crack-baby-just-say-no-cia-communism-racial-injustice-fcfeadb3548d
R:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Drug_Abuse_Act_of_1986
Reagan re-declared the War on Drugs on Oct. 14, 1982...
And signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which mandated 5 years without parole for having 5 grams of crack.
The media played along, sensationalizing crack use.
L:
https://timeline.com/ronald-nancy-reagan-war-on-drugs-crack-baby-just-say-no-cia-communism-racial-injustice-fcfeadb3548d
R:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Drug_Abuse_Act_of_1986
42/
So...
Nixon's policies targeted POC, as his advisor John Ehrlichman said in '94.
And then...Reagan continued the bludgeoning of black communities by taking the strictest punitive measures against crack-related offenses.
L:
https://www.laprogressive.com/war-on-drugs-targeted-blacks/
R:
https://thewitnessbcc.com/crack-epidemic-opioid-crisis-race-america/
So...
Nixon's policies targeted POC, as his advisor John Ehrlichman said in '94.
And then...Reagan continued the bludgeoning of black communities by taking the strictest punitive measures against crack-related offenses.
L:
https://www.laprogressive.com/war-on-drugs-targeted-blacks/
R:
https://thewitnessbcc.com/crack-epidemic-opioid-crisis-race-america/
43/
After Reagan's '86 Drug-Abuse act you see a semi-subtle shift in the racial breakdown for US adult drug arrests.
And don't forget:
These arrest stats for blacks contain a lot of harshly-sentenced crack-related offenses.
L:
https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0309web_1.pdf
R:
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/sp/RaceandClass.Sentencing.pdf
After Reagan's '86 Drug-Abuse act you see a semi-subtle shift in the racial breakdown for US adult drug arrests.
And don't forget:
These arrest stats for blacks contain a lot of harshly-sentenced crack-related offenses.
L:
https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0309web_1.pdf
R:
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/sp/RaceandClass.Sentencing.pdf
44/
Now let's get back to three strikes.
It's easy to find stories from many states about racial disparity in marijuana arrest rates up until the present day.
Here are two stories from 2019 about Baltimore and Schenectady.
L:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-0103-african-americans-marijuana-arrests-20190102-story.html
R:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Schenectady-ranks-worst-in-state-for-racial-13901116.php
Now let's get back to three strikes.
It's easy to find stories from many states about racial disparity in marijuana arrest rates up until the present day.
Here are two stories from 2019 about Baltimore and Schenectady.
L:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-0103-african-americans-marijuana-arrests-20190102-story.html
R:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Schenectady-ranks-worst-in-state-for-racial-13901116.php
45/
That racial disparity came into play in California in 1994 when the state's three strikes law was enacted, compounding its consequences for POC arrested for marijuana-related felonies.
This 1996 article from the Chicago Tribune is a shocking read:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-03-10-9603100270-story.html
That racial disparity came into play in California in 1994 when the state's three strikes law was enacted, compounding its consequences for POC arrested for marijuana-related felonies.
This 1996 article from the Chicago Tribune is a shocking read:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-03-10-9603100270-story.html
46/
The sting in the tail of California's 1994 three strikes law was this:
It mandated 25 years to life in state prison for defendants convicted of ANY FELONY (not a serious felony, not a violent felony... ANY FELONY) after two or more prior strikes.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/20142.htm
The sting in the tail of California's 1994 three strikes law was this:
It mandated 25 years to life in state prison for defendants convicted of ANY FELONY (not a serious felony, not a violent felony... ANY FELONY) after two or more prior strikes.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/20142.htm
47/
Moving away from marijuana...
This piece from 1996 suggests that the heavy targeting of property offenses by California's three strikes law, and the underrepresentation of African American prosecutors in the state, impacted POC especially deeply.
L:
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-05-mn-43270-story.html
Moving away from marijuana...
This piece from 1996 suggests that the heavy targeting of property offenses by California's three strikes law, and the underrepresentation of African American prosecutors in the state, impacted POC especially deeply.
L:
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-05-mn-43270-story.html
48/
The 2004 Guardian article below talks about third-strikers given 25-years-to-life sentences for thefts of under $250.
Right: Some of CA's 'felony wobblers', charges prosecutors can treat as a misdemeanor... or a felony.
L:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/08/usa.danglaister
R:
https://www.recordgone.com/california_felony_wobblers.htm
The 2004 Guardian article below talks about third-strikers given 25-years-to-life sentences for thefts of under $250.
Right: Some of CA's 'felony wobblers', charges prosecutors can treat as a misdemeanor... or a felony.
L:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/08/usa.danglaister
R:
https://www.recordgone.com/california_felony_wobblers.htm
49/
One 'wobbler' offense is joyriding.
Kenneth Oliver (below with his dad) was just released after serving 23 years of a life sentence he received for joyriding, his third strike under California's three strikes law.
Kenneth spent 8 years in solitary.
https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-joyriding-conviction-man-freed-20190605-story.html
One 'wobbler' offense is joyriding.
Kenneth Oliver (below with his dad) was just released after serving 23 years of a life sentence he received for joyriding, his third strike under California's three strikes law.
Kenneth spent 8 years in solitary.
https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-joyriding-conviction-man-freed-20190605-story.html
50/
CA voters eased the law under Proposition 36 in 2012 so that offenders could be re-sentenced if their third strike conviction wasn't serious or violent.
Kenneth was ineligible for this because he was found with gang-related materials and literature.
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_36,_Changes_in_the_%22Three_Strikes%22_Law_(2012)
CA voters eased the law under Proposition 36 in 2012 so that offenders could be re-sentenced if their third strike conviction wasn't serious or violent.
Kenneth was ineligible for this because he was found with gang-related materials and literature.
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_36,_Changes_in_the_%22Three_Strikes%22_Law_(2012)
51/
He was freed this year at the age of 52 after LA County prosecutors dropped their objections 'in the interest of justice'.
The state corrections department expunged Kenneth's gang-affiliation record and gave him a $125,000 settlement as compensation for time in solitary.
He was freed this year at the age of 52 after LA County prosecutors dropped their objections 'in the interest of justice'.
The state corrections department expunged Kenneth's gang-affiliation record and gave him a $125,000 settlement as compensation for time in solitary.
52/
California wasn't the only state to pass a three strikes law in the 1990s, and it isn't the only place where such a law has disproportionately affected black offenders.
Washington passed a strict three strikes law in 1993. Please find details below.
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0006.htm
California wasn't the only state to pass a three strikes law in the 1990s, and it isn't the only place where such a law has disproportionately affected black offenders.
Washington passed a strict three strikes law in 1993. Please find details below.
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0006.htm
53/
This law was reformed in 2019. Second-degree robbery was removed from the list of offenses triggering an automatic life sentence when one of three strikes.
The reform WAS due to apply retroactively, qualifying past Rob 2 offenders for re-sentencing.
https://www.apnews.com/c7262eb10c514c3f8994244422e99e71
This law was reformed in 2019. Second-degree robbery was removed from the list of offenses triggering an automatic life sentence when one of three strikes.
The reform WAS due to apply retroactively, qualifying past Rob 2 offenders for re-sentencing.
https://www.apnews.com/c7262eb10c514c3f8994244422e99e71
54/
The retroactivity of the reform was, however, cancelled by an amendment pushed by the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, leaving inmates locked up under sentences that don't exist any more.
For nuance, it's worth reading this article:
https://blackamericaweb.com/2019/05/21/3-strikes-sentencing-reform-leaves-out-washington-inmates/
The retroactivity of the reform was, however, cancelled by an amendment pushed by the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, leaving inmates locked up under sentences that don't exist any more.
For nuance, it's worth reading this article:
https://blackamericaweb.com/2019/05/21/3-strikes-sentencing-reform-leaves-out-washington-inmates/
55/
According to a few articles online, this means that around 62 Washington state inmates will be stuck serving life sentences for second-degree robbery even after judges stop 'striking out' offenders for that same crime.
About half of the 62 are black.
https://q13fox.com/2019/05/21/3-strikes-sentencing-reform-leaves-out-washington-inmates/
According to a few articles online, this means that around 62 Washington state inmates will be stuck serving life sentences for second-degree robbery even after judges stop 'striking out' offenders for that same crime.
About half of the 62 are black.
https://q13fox.com/2019/05/21/3-strikes-sentencing-reform-leaves-out-washington-inmates/
56/
Before we go on and look more closely at discriminatory arrest practices (then at the prisons-for-profit business model/private prisons), here's a table showing when different states enacted three strikes laws.
The conviction totals are from '97/'98.
http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/696/assessing-the-impact-of-three-strikes-laws-on-crime-rates-and-prison-populations-in-california-and-washington
Before we go on and look more closely at discriminatory arrest practices (then at the prisons-for-profit business model/private prisons), here's a table showing when different states enacted three strikes laws.
The conviction totals are from '97/'98.
http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/696/assessing-the-impact-of-three-strikes-laws-on-crime-rates-and-prison-populations-in-california-and-washington
57/
So far I've focused more on racial disparities in sentencing, but it's important to look at how so many black Americans end up in court to begin with.
Let's go from Washington State to D.C. Black people make up 47% of the population there, but...
https://wtop.com/dc/2019/05/black-residents-disproportionately-targeted-for-minor-violations-according-to-study/
So far I've focused more on racial disparities in sentencing, but it's important to look at how so many black Americans end up in court to begin with.
Let's go from Washington State to D.C. Black people make up 47% of the population there, but...
https://wtop.com/dc/2019/05/black-residents-disproportionately-targeted-for-minor-violations-according-to-study/
58/
Some offenses in the wtop article above may 'only' result in fines, but the disproportionate arrest of POC for these acts is symptomatic of a general law enforcement culture, at least in D.C., of discriminatory reactions to black skin.
Same link:
https://wtop.com/dc/2019/05/black-residents-disproportionately-targeted-for-minor-violations-according-to-study/
Some offenses in the wtop article above may 'only' result in fines, but the disproportionate arrest of POC for these acts is symptomatic of a general law enforcement culture, at least in D.C., of discriminatory reactions to black skin.
Same link:
https://wtop.com/dc/2019/05/black-residents-disproportionately-targeted-for-minor-violations-according-to-study/
59/
To build up a nationwide picture of racial discrimination in law enforcement/targeting for arrest, let's go to Mississippi.
Recently, there was a federal court complaint about humiliating roadblock searches, and checkpoints in racial minority areas.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/08/mississippi-african-americans-illegal-searches-aclu-lawsuit
To build up a nationwide picture of racial discrimination in law enforcement/targeting for arrest, let's go to Mississippi.
Recently, there was a federal court complaint about humiliating roadblock searches, and checkpoints in racial minority areas.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/08/mississippi-african-americans-illegal-searches-aclu-lawsuit
60/
In Alabama marijuana possession is generally a Class A misdemenour punishable by a year's prison & $6,000 fine.
In 2016, black people there were 4X as likely as whites to be arrested for misdemenour & felony possession.
L:
https://www.drugpossessionlaws.com/alabama/
R:
https://www.splcenter.org/report-alabamas-failed-war-marijuana
In Alabama marijuana possession is generally a Class A misdemenour punishable by a year's prison & $6,000 fine.
In 2016, black people there were 4X as likely as whites to be arrested for misdemenour & felony possession.
L:
https://www.drugpossessionlaws.com/alabama/
R:
https://www.splcenter.org/report-alabamas-failed-war-marijuana
61/
Those arrested & convicted in Alabama for marijuana-related charges are disproportionately black, so collateral consequences fall heavily on that demographic.
Forensic backlogs can leave people merely charged with a minor possession offense in limbo.
https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/com_decriminalization_of_marijuana_web_final.pdf
Those arrested & convicted in Alabama for marijuana-related charges are disproportionately black, so collateral consequences fall heavily on that demographic.
Forensic backlogs can leave people merely charged with a minor possession offense in limbo.
https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/com_decriminalization_of_marijuana_web_final.pdf
62/
You can add incidences of racially-motivated police corruption to Alabama's unjust law enforcement system.
These articles say marijuana was planted on black men by cops in Alabama for years, wrongful prosecution pursued.
L:
https://www.innocenceproject.org/leaked-documents-show-alabama-police-planted-drugs-guns-on-innocent-black-men-in-decades-long-scheme/
R:
https://www.mintpressnews.com/leaked-documents-show-alabama-police-department-planted-drugs-on-black-men-for-years/211745/
You can add incidences of racially-motivated police corruption to Alabama's unjust law enforcement system.
These articles say marijuana was planted on black men by cops in Alabama for years, wrongful prosecution pursued.
L:
https://www.innocenceproject.org/leaked-documents-show-alabama-police-planted-drugs-guns-on-innocent-black-men-in-decades-long-scheme/
R:
https://www.mintpressnews.com/leaked-documents-show-alabama-police-department-planted-drugs-on-black-men-for-years/211745/
63/
In Mississippi, rates of arrest for black people are higher across the board than for whites, despite a white majority.
Black rates of felony disenfranchisement are high, limiting participation in the democratic process.
L:
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/11/19/race-arrest-rates-examined/19307959/
R:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/the-facts/#map
In Mississippi, rates of arrest for black people are higher across the board than for whites, despite a white majority.
Black rates of felony disenfranchisement are high, limiting participation in the democratic process.
L:
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/11/19/race-arrest-rates-examined/19307959/
R:
https://www.sentencingproject.org/the-facts/#map
64/
The pattern repeats in New Mexico, where the prison population has risen over time, black people and Hispanics are overrepresented behind bars, and AGAIN African Americans are much more likely to be affected by felony disenfranchisement.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/the-facts/#map?dataset-option=SIR
The pattern repeats in New Mexico, where the prison population has risen over time, black people and Hispanics are overrepresented behind bars, and AGAIN African Americans are much more likely to be affected by felony disenfranchisement.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/the-facts/#map?dataset-option=SIR
65/
These statistics need to placed in the context of discriminatory law enforcement, police brutality, cycles of poverty, the processing of minorities within the criminal justice system, the lack of minority legal and political representation, and a general culture of racism.
These statistics need to placed in the context of discriminatory law enforcement, police brutality, cycles of poverty, the processing of minorities within the criminal justice system, the lack of minority legal and political representation, and a general culture of racism.
66/
It's vital to recognize how these factors INTERACT to understand why more POC go to prison for longer than whites.
Some pretty unpleasant sites like that below simplistically blame 'black (family) values' for black arrest and imprisonment rates, while denying systemic bias.
It's vital to recognize how these factors INTERACT to understand why more POC go to prison for longer than whites.
Some pretty unpleasant sites like that below simplistically blame 'black (family) values' for black arrest and imprisonment rates, while denying systemic bias.
67/
But you can't blame family values for the operational effects of a vicious triangle of poverty, crime, & the disproportionate stigmatization of having a criminal record while not white. It's these interacting systemic factors that are harming families.
https://www.poverties.org/blog/poverty-and-crime
But you can't blame family values for the operational effects of a vicious triangle of poverty, crime, & the disproportionate stigmatization of having a criminal record while not white. It's these interacting systemic factors that are harming families.
https://www.poverties.org/blog/poverty-and-crime
68/
The fact is that when black ex-convicts find it so hard to get jobs, it creates obstacles to gainful, legal subsistence.
As per the study by researchers at Florida State University cited below, this drives up black recidivism.
https://phys.org/news/2018-10-black-men-higher-recidivism-factors.html
The fact is that when black ex-convicts find it so hard to get jobs, it creates obstacles to gainful, legal subsistence.
As per the study by researchers at Florida State University cited below, this drives up black recidivism.
https://phys.org/news/2018-10-black-men-higher-recidivism-factors.html
69/
Another study, by Princeton University and detailed in the article below, describes the advantages within the job market of possessing white skin.
It indicates that levels of 'criminal record stigma' strongly depend on the race of a job applicant.
http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2007/09/white_convicts_as_likely_to_be.html
Another study, by Princeton University and detailed in the article below, describes the advantages within the job market of possessing white skin.
It indicates that levels of 'criminal record stigma' strongly depend on the race of a job applicant.
http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2007/09/white_convicts_as_likely_to_be.html
70/
Lack of a college or high school education is a compounding factor on top of employers' discrimination against ex-inmates.
It's hard to imagine that people struggling to find employment would be able to easily afford to go to college to address that.
http://www.genfkd.org/ex-convict-unemployment-cripples-economy
Lack of a college or high school education is a compounding factor on top of employers' discrimination against ex-inmates.
It's hard to imagine that people struggling to find employment would be able to easily afford to go to college to address that.
http://www.genfkd.org/ex-convict-unemployment-cripples-economy
71/
So, we have a picture of a system wherein POC spend more time locked up than whites who've committed the same crime, where arrest patterns are discriminatory and three strikes laws disproportionately affect certain demographics.
So, we have a picture of a system wherein POC spend more time locked up than whites who've committed the same crime, where arrest patterns are discriminatory and three strikes laws disproportionately affect certain demographics.
72/
The war on drugs has harshly punished black people, who use drugs no more than whites. Black people are under-represented in the legal profession, and over-represented in the inmate population. And once they get out, they are strongly stigmatized for their criminal records.
The war on drugs has harshly punished black people, who use drugs no more than whites. Black people are under-represented in the legal profession, and over-represented in the inmate population. And once they get out, they are strongly stigmatized for their criminal records.
73/
While Inside prison, inmates are often worked for low pay, their labor benefitting the CEOs and shareholders of a predominantly white corporate America.
But who owns and runs America's prisons? What is the market/corporate structure of the prison-industrial complex itself?
While Inside prison, inmates are often worked for low pay, their labor benefitting the CEOs and shareholders of a predominantly white corporate America.
But who owns and runs America's prisons? What is the market/corporate structure of the prison-industrial complex itself?
74/
The history of for-profit prisons in the US goes back to 1854, when California's San Quentin State Prison opened.
It was initially under private management, although, after frequent escapes, the state temporarily took control of the facility in 1858.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/San-Quentin-State-Prison
The history of for-profit prisons in the US goes back to 1854, when California's San Quentin State Prison opened.
It was initially under private management, although, after frequent escapes, the state temporarily took control of the facility in 1858.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/San-Quentin-State-Prison
75/
The next year, John F. McCauley - who had held the lease - sued to reclaim the seized prison, but it was returned to state control shortly after in 1860.
It was much later, in the 1980s, that private prisons appeared in a widespread systematic way.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/private-prisons-united-states/
The next year, John F. McCauley - who had held the lease - sued to reclaim the seized prison, but it was returned to state control shortly after in 1860.
It was much later, in the 1980s, that private prisons appeared in a widespread systematic way.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/private-prisons-united-states/
76/
In 1981, Prison Rehabilitative Industries & Diversified Enterprises Inc. was formed in Florida.
According to the Heritage Foundation, as of 1988 it ran all 53 Florida prison work programs and made a $4M profit in 1987.
L:
https://www.bizapedia.com/fl/prison-rehabilitative-industries-and-diversified-enterprises-inc.html
R:
https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/guide-prison-privatization
In 1981, Prison Rehabilitative Industries & Diversified Enterprises Inc. was formed in Florida.
According to the Heritage Foundation, as of 1988 it ran all 53 Florida prison work programs and made a $4M profit in 1987.
L:
https://www.bizapedia.com/fl/prison-rehabilitative-industries-and-diversified-enterprises-inc.html
R:
https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/guide-prison-privatization
77/
In 1997, there was an appeal against PRIDE at the court of appeals for the eleventh circuit by Florida state prisoners claiming minimum wage under the FLSA.
They lost.
PRIDE was making over $70M a year from their labor.
L:
http://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/files/19964253.OPA.pdf
R:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/1998/feb/15/florida-pride-employees-denied-minimum-wages/
In 1997, there was an appeal against PRIDE at the court of appeals for the eleventh circuit by Florida state prisoners claiming minimum wage under the FLSA.
They lost.
PRIDE was making over $70M a year from their labor.
L:
http://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/files/19964253.OPA.pdf
R:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/1998/feb/15/florida-pride-employees-denied-minimum-wages/
78/
Most private prison contracts have been made at the state level. In 2016, private prisons in the US held 128,063 people, a jump of 47% since 2000. At the federal level, Obama's policy of phasing them out was reversed by Jeff Sessions in February 2017.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/private-prisons-united-states/
Most private prison contracts have been made at the state level. In 2016, private prisons in the US held 128,063 people, a jump of 47% since 2000. At the federal level, Obama's policy of phasing them out was reversed by Jeff Sessions in February 2017.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/private-prisons-united-states/
79/
So, which companies dominate the US for-profit prison industry?
The big two are CoreCivic and GEO Group.
CoreCivic was founded in 1983 in Nashville, while GEO Group was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Florida.
So, which companies dominate the US for-profit prison industry?
The big two are CoreCivic and GEO Group.
CoreCivic was founded in 1983 in Nashville, while GEO Group was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Florida.
80/
CoreCivic's homepage carries a lengthy list of its 'transitional', 'correctional', 'detention', and 'treatment' centers.
It operates all around the US in Arizona, North Carolina, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Utah, Georgia, and other states.
http://www.corecivic.com/facilities
CoreCivic's homepage carries a lengthy list of its 'transitional', 'correctional', 'detention', and 'treatment' centers.
It operates all around the US in Arizona, North Carolina, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Utah, Georgia, and other states.
http://www.corecivic.com/facilities
81/
An Urban Justice Center report from April 2018 shows CoreCivic active in the 'community corrections' and 'operations & management' sectors of the prison-industrial complex.
It has a huge property portfolio and takes in over $1.5B in yearly revenues.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e127cb1b10e31ed45b20f4/t/5ade0281f950b7ab293c86a6/1524499083424/The+Prison+Industrial+Complex+-+Mapping+Private+Sector+Players+%28April+2018%29.pdf?_ga=2.124709450.1522467910.1564810675-1317506745.1564810675
An Urban Justice Center report from April 2018 shows CoreCivic active in the 'community corrections' and 'operations & management' sectors of the prison-industrial complex.
It has a huge property portfolio and takes in over $1.5B in yearly revenues.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e127cb1b10e31ed45b20f4/t/5ade0281f950b7ab293c86a6/1524499083424/The+Prison+Industrial+Complex+-+Mapping+Private+Sector+Players+%28April+2018%29.pdf?_ga=2.124709450.1522467910.1564810675-1317506745.1564810675
82/
Most private prison companies have traditionally profited mainly from state-level contracts, but you see a healthy federal cash injection in CoreCivic's recent financials.
CoreCivic's 2018 annual report shows a big chunk of business coming from ICE:
http://ir.corecivic.com/static-files/60371436-e930-40bc-8cfa-830d12b4edd0
Most private prison companies have traditionally profited mainly from state-level contracts, but you see a healthy federal cash injection in CoreCivic's recent financials.
CoreCivic's 2018 annual report shows a big chunk of business coming from ICE:
http://ir.corecivic.com/static-files/60371436-e930-40bc-8cfa-830d12b4edd0
83/
As mentioned above, Obama had announced a move to phase out the use of private for-profit prisons to house federal inmates, but this was rescinded by Jeff Sessions in Feb 2017.
Predictably, CoreCivic donates heavily to the Republican Party.
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000021940&cycle=A
As mentioned above, Obama had announced a move to phase out the use of private for-profit prisons to house federal inmates, but this was rescinded by Jeff Sessions in Feb 2017.
Predictably, CoreCivic donates heavily to the Republican Party.
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000021940&cycle=A
84/
On May 23 2019, CoreCivic announced a new contract allowing ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service to use its detention center in Eden, Texas.
This arrangement is expected to generate between $30M and $40M in annual revenue for the company.
https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/corecivic-enters-into-new-management-contract-to-activate-the-eden-detention-center-20190523-00372
On May 23 2019, CoreCivic announced a new contract allowing ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service to use its detention center in Eden, Texas.
This arrangement is expected to generate between $30M and $40M in annual revenue for the company.
https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/corecivic-enters-into-new-management-contract-to-activate-the-eden-detention-center-20190523-00372
85/
CoreCivic has been the subject of many complaints about its treatment of detainees and inmates over the years.
In 2018, a federal-class action suit was filed against them for alleged exploitation of immigrant workers detained at its ICE facilities.
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2018/aug/8/federal-class-action-accuses-corecivic-exploiting-immigrant-detainee-labor/
CoreCivic has been the subject of many complaints about its treatment of detainees and inmates over the years.
In 2018, a federal-class action suit was filed against them for alleged exploitation of immigrant workers detained at its ICE facilities.
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2018/aug/8/federal-class-action-accuses-corecivic-exploiting-immigrant-detainee-labor/
86/
FYI, CoreCivic is also known as CCA, or the Corrections Corporation of America.
Here is a sample of some of the very large delivery orders placed with CoreCivic, as shown on the Federal Procurement Data System website:
https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal?q=corecivic&s=FPDS.GOV&templateName=1.5.1&indexName=awardfull&x=0&y=0&sortBy=SIGNED_DATE&desc=Y
FYI, CoreCivic is also known as CCA, or the Corrections Corporation of America.
Here is a sample of some of the very large delivery orders placed with CoreCivic, as shown on the Federal Procurement Data System website:
https://www.fpds.gov/ezsearch/fpdsportal?q=corecivic&s=FPDS.GOV&templateName=1.5.1&indexName=awardfull&x=0&y=0&sortBy=SIGNED_DATE&desc=Y
87/
Against the backdrop of the disproportionate arrest and incarceration of non-white citizens detailed above, CoreCivic runs a large number of private state-contracted correctional facilities.
One of these is the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center.
https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/21077417/tennessees-corecivic-prisons-have-twice-the-homicides-of-state-facilities
Against the backdrop of the disproportionate arrest and incarceration of non-white citizens detailed above, CoreCivic runs a large number of private state-contracted correctional facilities.
One of these is the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center.
https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/21077417/tennessees-corecivic-prisons-have-twice-the-homicides-of-state-facilities
88/
Poor management resulting from inadequate staffing has been blamed for the high level of fatal violence against inmates at Trousdale Turner.
This article describes complaints by inmates' visiting family members regarding living conditions at TTCC:
https://www.thepostemail.com/2016/06/08/report-trousdale-turner-has-incurred-nine-inmate-deaths-since-opening/
Poor management resulting from inadequate staffing has been blamed for the high level of fatal violence against inmates at Trousdale Turner.
This article describes complaints by inmates' visiting family members regarding living conditions at TTCC:
https://www.thepostemail.com/2016/06/08/report-trousdale-turner-has-incurred-nine-inmate-deaths-since-opening/
89/
During CoreCivic's history, the incarcerated population in the US has increased 500%.
The Nashville Chamber of Commerce will have CoreCivic as a presenting sponsor at its 2020 Annual Celebration, a decision opposed by groups including BLM Nashville.
https://tntribune.com/community/local/local-editorial/african-american-members-of-the-nashville-chamber-of-commerce-shame-on-you/
During CoreCivic's history, the incarcerated population in the US has increased 500%.
The Nashville Chamber of Commerce will have CoreCivic as a presenting sponsor at its 2020 Annual Celebration, a decision opposed by groups including BLM Nashville.
https://tntribune.com/community/local/local-editorial/african-american-members-of-the-nashville-chamber-of-commerce-shame-on-you/
90/
Trousdale Turner is in Tennessee, where CoreCivic focused a lot of its political donations in 2018.
It's also a facility at which, apparently, inmate complaints of sexual harassment (leading to assault) are dismissed.
L:
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/toprecips.php?id=D000021940&cycle=2018
R(2):
https://www.newschannel5.com/longform/prisons-for-profit-concerns-mount-about-trousdale-turner-correctional-center-operator-corecivic
Trousdale Turner is in Tennessee, where CoreCivic focused a lot of its political donations in 2018.
It's also a facility at which, apparently, inmate complaints of sexual harassment (leading to assault) are dismissed.
L:
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/toprecips.php?id=D000021940&cycle=2018
R(2):
https://www.newschannel5.com/longform/prisons-for-profit-concerns-mount-about-trousdale-turner-correctional-center-operator-corecivic
91/
So, what do contracts between private prison companies and state and federal governments look like?
That's the really messed up part...
These companies get paid per inmate, per day. And many of their contracts contain a 'minimum occupancy clause'.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4148229-broke-jailhouse-reit
So, what do contracts between private prison companies and state and federal governments look like?
That's the really messed up part...
These companies get paid per inmate, per day. And many of their contracts contain a 'minimum occupancy clause'.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4148229-broke-jailhouse-reit
92/
What are minimum occupancy clauses?
They are a common feature of private prison contracts and GUARANTEE prison companies a certain level of occupancy in facilities OR payment equivalent to facilities having reached that specified level of occupancy.
http://www.aublr.org/2017/11/private-prison-contracts-minimum-occupancy-clauses/
What are minimum occupancy clauses?
They are a common feature of private prison contracts and GUARANTEE prison companies a certain level of occupancy in facilities OR payment equivalent to facilities having reached that specified level of occupancy.
http://www.aublr.org/2017/11/private-prison-contracts-minimum-occupancy-clauses/
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Needless to say, this creates a dynamic whereby states feel a financial pressure to keep private prisons full.
States can be forced to use tax dollars to reimburse prison corporations if occupancy rates fall short of those specified in contracts.
https://www.opposingviews.com/category/private-prison-corporations-vow-keep-prisons-full-regardless-need
Needless to say, this creates a dynamic whereby states feel a financial pressure to keep private prisons full.
States can be forced to use tax dollars to reimburse prison corporations if occupancy rates fall short of those specified in contracts.
https://www.opposingviews.com/category/private-prison-corporations-vow-keep-prisons-full-regardless-need
94/
The other major private prison player is GEO Group, a Florida-based company that began life in 1984 as Wackenhut Corrections Corporation, the private correctional subsidiary of the Wackenhut Corporation.
In 2003 WCC changed its name to the GEO Group.
https://www.geogroup.com
The other major private prison player is GEO Group, a Florida-based company that began life in 1984 as Wackenhut Corrections Corporation, the private correctional subsidiary of the Wackenhut Corporation.
In 2003 WCC changed its name to the GEO Group.
https://www.geogroup.com
95/
According to its own website, GEO Group has 68 'secure service' facilities in the US, with a total of 76,486 beds, and 6 international facilities (7,527 beds.)
Its revenues for the 2nd quarter of 2019 were $614M, up $31M over the same period in 2018.
https://www.followthemoney.org/research/blog/policy-to-profits-geo-group
According to its own website, GEO Group has 68 'secure service' facilities in the US, with a total of 76,486 beds, and 6 international facilities (7,527 beds.)
Its revenues for the 2nd quarter of 2019 were $614M, up $31M over the same period in 2018.
https://www.followthemoney.org/research/blog/policy-to-profits-geo-group
96/
Before examining GEO Group's contracts, let's look at who they gave to in the 2018 election cycle.
Apparently, like CCA, GEO Group strongly favours the GOP in its political donations.
No wonder the Republican establishment supports private prisons.
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/toprecips.php?id=D000022003&cycle=2018
Before examining GEO Group's contracts, let's look at who they gave to in the 2018 election cycle.
Apparently, like CCA, GEO Group strongly favours the GOP in its political donations.
No wonder the Republican establishment supports private prisons.
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/toprecips.php?id=D000022003&cycle=2018
97/
The GEO Group gets more money from ICE than anywhere else, and ICE pays GEO more than it does any other company.
GEO now has $471 million in ongoing contracts with the Trump administration's federal deportation machine.
L:
https://investigate.afsc.org/company/geo-group
R:
https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/boca-ratons-geo-group-is-ices-top-contractor-10504265
The GEO Group gets more money from ICE than anywhere else, and ICE pays GEO more than it does any other company.
GEO now has $471 million in ongoing contracts with the Trump administration's federal deportation machine.
L:
https://investigate.afsc.org/company/geo-group
R:
https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/boca-ratons-geo-group-is-ices-top-contractor-10504265
98/
Historically, though, GEO has made most of its corrections revenue from state prison contracts.
However, in 2009, when the number of state prison inmates began to decline for the first time in 40 years, alarm bells rang for private prison companies.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
Historically, though, GEO has made most of its corrections revenue from state prison contracts.
However, in 2009, when the number of state prison inmates began to decline for the first time in 40 years, alarm bells rang for private prison companies.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
99/
Private prison companies donate to politicians at the state and federal level through PACs and employee contributions.
As seen below, around the time state prison inmate numbers began to drop, they boosted their giving to state-level politicians.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
Private prison companies donate to politicians at the state and federal level through PACs and employee contributions.
As seen below, around the time state prison inmate numbers began to drop, they boosted their giving to state-level politicians.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
100/
The extent to which these donations influence policymaking is debatable, but it seems private prison companies do tend to financially support incumbents who are likely to win elections.
This is, presumably, to purchase access to policymakers.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
The extent to which these donations influence policymaking is debatable, but it seems private prison companies do tend to financially support incumbents who are likely to win elections.
This is, presumably, to purchase access to policymakers.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
101/
Briefly returning to CoreCivic, in 2004 they gave $6,000 to Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle.
Happily for them, CoreCivic then received increased contracts from the state and benefited from its shipping of Hawaiian prisoners to their mainland prisons.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
Briefly returning to CoreCivic, in 2004 they gave $6,000 to Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle.
Happily for them, CoreCivic then received increased contracts from the state and benefited from its shipping of Hawaiian prisoners to their mainland prisons.
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
102/
Another way private prison corporations influence state legislatures is through lobbying.
Please find below a brief description of the practice, and a table displaying some lobbying patterns of three major private prison companies:
CCA
GEO
Cornell
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
Another way private prison corporations influence state legislatures is through lobbying.
Please find below a brief description of the practice, and a table displaying some lobbying patterns of three major private prison companies:
CCA
GEO
Cornell
http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/gaming_the_system.pdf
103/
Looking at GEO, the first shot below shows donations it made to a Trump Super PAC and Trump's inaugural committee.
The second describes GEO's lobbying of the Trump admin.
The third shows GEO's lobbying so far in 2019.
L:
https://observer.com/2017/10/geo-group-private-prison-industry-profits-soar-under-trump/
R:
https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000022003
Looking at GEO, the first shot below shows donations it made to a Trump Super PAC and Trump's inaugural committee.
The second describes GEO's lobbying of the Trump admin.
The third shows GEO's lobbying so far in 2019.
L:
https://observer.com/2017/10/geo-group-private-prison-industry-profits-soar-under-trump/
R:
https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000022003
104/
GEO is tight with Trump. So... How do they profit from housing POC?
1) As per this thread, discriminatory arrest and sentencing practices supply them with plenty of inmates of colour
2) It's cheaper to house POC than whites (see the article below)
https://www.wvxu.org/post/why-profit-prisons-house-more-inmates-color#stream/0
GEO is tight with Trump. So... How do they profit from housing POC?
1) As per this thread, discriminatory arrest and sentencing practices supply them with plenty of inmates of colour
2) It's cheaper to house POC than whites (see the article below)
https://www.wvxu.org/post/why-profit-prisons-house-more-inmates-color#stream/0
105/
In 2014 Christopher Petrella wrote that age and health serve as proxies for race when explaining racial disparities in private v. public facilities. Companies like GEO have formulated contracts exempting them from housing certain types of individual.
http://journal.radicalcriminology.org/index.php/rc/article/view/44/html
In 2014 Christopher Petrella wrote that age and health serve as proxies for race when explaining racial disparities in private v. public facilities. Companies like GEO have formulated contracts exempting them from housing certain types of individual.
http://journal.radicalcriminology.org/index.php/rc/article/view/44/html
106/
If you look at a sample of Colorado facilities, it appears that private outfits tend to house younger and racial minority inmates.
The three facilities mentioned below - Bent, Crowley, and Kit Carson - are all operated by GEO Group.
http://journal.radicalcriminology.org/index.php/rc/article/view/44/html
If you look at a sample of Colorado facilities, it appears that private outfits tend to house younger and racial minority inmates.
The three facilities mentioned below - Bent, Crowley, and Kit Carson - are all operated by GEO Group.
http://journal.radicalcriminology.org/index.php/rc/article/view/44/html
107/
As always, we should look at the law enforcement practices that form the background to a state's prison population stats.
This Denver Post article suggests black Coloradans experience a more expedited route to prison than their white counterparts.
https://www.denverpost.com/2016/12/22/colorado-race-arrests-prison-report/
As always, we should look at the law enforcement practices that form the background to a state's prison population stats.
This Denver Post article suggests black Coloradans experience a more expedited route to prison than their white counterparts.
https://www.denverpost.com/2016/12/22/colorado-race-arrests-prison-report/
108/
To return to the same site, we see Califonia's public minimum/medium security facilities have a population that is 76% POC (data c. 2014), while the four private facilities (inmates outsourced from CA) mentioned below have inmate populations that are a staggering 89% POC.
To return to the same site, we see Califonia's public minimum/medium security facilities have a population that is 76% POC (data c. 2014), while the four private facilities (inmates outsourced from CA) mentioned below have inmate populations that are a staggering 89% POC.
109/
OK, so...
This thread has taken a roving look at inmate demographics, discriminatory law enforcement, harmful legislation, lobbying and political funding by private prison companies, and use of prison labour.
Next, let's look at individual ties to private prison corps.
OK, so...
This thread has taken a roving look at inmate demographics, discriminatory law enforcement, harmful legislation, lobbying and political funding by private prison companies, and use of prison labour.
Next, let's look at individual ties to private prison corps.
110/
Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III was sworn in as U.S. Attorney General on February 9, 2017.
The Trump admin rolled back Obama's plan to phase out federal government use of private prisons.
There has been debate surrounding how much Sessions personally benefits from this.
Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III was sworn in as U.S. Attorney General on February 9, 2017.
The Trump admin rolled back Obama's plan to phase out federal government use of private prisons.
There has been debate surrounding how much Sessions personally benefits from this.
111/
Much of this debate has centred around Vanguard Group funds in which Sessions' financial disclosures forms have revealed him to hold shares.
Let's begin with some images from Sessions' financial disclosures form from 2014, showing these investments.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5722daf11d07c02f9c1739cc/t/586c43dd579fb3ccd8b82f1a/1483490269989/Sessions_278e.pdf
Much of this debate has centred around Vanguard Group funds in which Sessions' financial disclosures forms have revealed him to hold shares.
Let's begin with some images from Sessions' financial disclosures form from 2014, showing these investments.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5722daf11d07c02f9c1739cc/t/586c43dd579fb3ccd8b82f1a/1483490269989/Sessions_278e.pdf
112/
Here is some information from 2015, showing that Vanguard Group, Inc. was the largest owner of Corrections Corporation of America Stock at the time and that it was the largest institutional investor in GEO Group.
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2015/jul/31/who-owns-private-prison-stock/
Here is some information from 2015, showing that Vanguard Group, Inc. was the largest owner of Corrections Corporation of America Stock at the time and that it was the largest institutional investor in GEO Group.
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2015/jul/31/who-owns-private-prison-stock/
113/
Sessions still listed Vanguard funds in his Dec 2016 financial disclosures, but Snopes explained that the funds he had holdings in were highly diversified so it was unlikely he'd profit much from private prison growth.
L:
https://crooksandliars.com/2017/04/sessions-getting-rich-filling-private
R:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jeff-sessions-private-prisons/
Sessions still listed Vanguard funds in his Dec 2016 financial disclosures, but Snopes explained that the funds he had holdings in were highly diversified so it was unlikely he'd profit much from private prison growth.
L:
https://crooksandliars.com/2017/04/sessions-getting-rich-filling-private
R:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jeff-sessions-private-prisons/
114/
But it's charitable to say there was zero conflict of interest here and Sessions' conservative criminal justice record kicked in when he became AG. Early on he rescinded Sally Yates' order allowing government contracts with private prisons to expire.
https://www.ebony.com/news/sessions-prison-industry/
But it's charitable to say there was zero conflict of interest here and Sessions' conservative criminal justice record kicked in when he became AG. Early on he rescinded Sally Yates' order allowing government contracts with private prisons to expire.
https://www.ebony.com/news/sessions-prison-industry/
115/
Sessions' actions as Attorney General and eagerness to expand the role of incarceration within the criminal justice system make more sense when viewed through the lens of possible personal profit than against the background of a declining crime rate.
https://www.ebony.com/news/sessions-prison-industry/
Sessions' actions as Attorney General and eagerness to expand the role of incarceration within the criminal justice system make more sense when viewed through the lens of possible personal profit than against the background of a declining crime rate.
https://www.ebony.com/news/sessions-prison-industry/
116/
Next, let's take a look at Marco Rubio's home state to see how the for-profit prison industry influences politics (and Marco Rubio) there.
As you can see below, the Florida-based GEO Group, Inc. is a top contributor to the Florida Republican Party.
https://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/08/11591/marco-rubio-geo-group-and-legacy-corruption
Next, let's take a look at Marco Rubio's home state to see how the for-profit prison industry influences politics (and Marco Rubio) there.
As you can see below, the Florida-based GEO Group, Inc. is a top contributor to the Florida Republican Party.
https://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/08/11591/marco-rubio-geo-group-and-legacy-corruption
117/
When Rubio ran for POTUS, GEO employees gave $30,400 to his White House bid.
GEO gave $100,000 to the Conservative Solutions super PAC.
GEO helped Rubio in his House days, giving to a committee Rubio used to push his proposals and travel the state.
https://www.tampabay.com/behind-marco-rubio-a-powerful-ally-private-prison-operator-geo-group/2290600/
When Rubio ran for POTUS, GEO employees gave $30,400 to his White House bid.
GEO gave $100,000 to the Conservative Solutions super PAC.
GEO helped Rubio in his House days, giving to a committee Rubio used to push his proposals and travel the state.
https://www.tampabay.com/behind-marco-rubio-a-powerful-ally-private-prison-operator-geo-group/2290600/
118/
After Rubio won his senate seat in 2010, he hired one Cesar Conda as his chief of staff.
Conda is a founding principle of Navigators Global, a company that has lobbied for GEO and received $1,290,000 in income since 2011 while lobbying in Congress.
https://www.rollcall.com/2016/10/20/private-prison-companies-continue-giving-to-senate-candidates/
After Rubio won his senate seat in 2010, he hired one Cesar Conda as his chief of staff.
Conda is a founding principle of Navigators Global, a company that has lobbied for GEO and received $1,290,000 in income since 2011 while lobbying in Congress.
https://www.rollcall.com/2016/10/20/private-prison-companies-continue-giving-to-senate-candidates/
119/
Conda left Navigators Global to work for Rubio but continued receiving payment from the firm via a buy-out agreement on his shares.
Conda, an immigration lawyer, played a key role in crafting Rubio's immigration reform outreach from 2011 to 2014.
https://archives.cjr.org/united_states_project/rubios_private_prison_connection.php
Conda left Navigators Global to work for Rubio but continued receiving payment from the firm via a buy-out agreement on his shares.
Conda, an immigration lawyer, played a key role in crafting Rubio's immigration reform outreach from 2011 to 2014.
https://archives.cjr.org/united_states_project/rubios_private_prison_connection.php
120/
Soon after his election, Rubio co-sponsored the Border Security Enforcement Act of 2011, legislation seeking to expand Operation Streamline, a joint Dept. of Homeland Security and DoJ initiative to criminally prosecute unauthorised border crossings.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/803/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded&KWICView=false
Soon after his election, Rubio co-sponsored the Border Security Enforcement Act of 2011, legislation seeking to expand Operation Streamline, a joint Dept. of Homeland Security and DoJ initiative to criminally prosecute unauthorised border crossings.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/803/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded&KWICView=false
