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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Marc Mauer, MSW, Executive Director, The Sentencing Project, 514 10th St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004, 202-628-0871, mauer@sentencingproject.org

Since 1970, the United States has been engaged in a “race to incarcerate” that has led to a situation that can now be described as one of mass imprisonment. The 500% increase in the prison population has been largely a result of policy changes, particularly harsher sentencing policies and the “war on drugs,” rather than increases in crime rates. These changes have disproportionately affected communities of color. If current trends continue, one of every three black males born today can expect to serve time in prison, as can one in six Latino males; rates of incarceration for women are rising as well. These developments have significant implications for family and community stability, including access to employment, housing, educational benefits, and voting rights.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the relationship of policy initiatives to incarceration issues.
• Assess the racial dynamics and implications of criminal justice policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No