Mass incarceration within the United States of America is a national social crisis. The criminal justice system has evolved into a punitive entity of injustice, evidenced by the 2.2 million prisoners incarcerated at a staggering rate of 1 in every 110 adults. The United States is comprised of 5 percent of the world’s population, yet it houses 25 percent of the world’s prisoners. If the United States judiciary system advocated for federal legislation that created equal laws, that did not disproportionately incarcerate the impoverished and people of color, it would not be the world leader in hyper-incarceration today.

African-American men make up 13 percent of the general population, yet they encompass 40 percent of the world’s prisoners. African-American children must accept their potential risk of incarceration, at a rate of 1 in 3, because parents across the nation pay taxes in support of a status quo which disproportionately incarcerates them. Similarly, Hispanics are arrested at a rate of 1 and 6.

Rehabilitation does not meet the shared interest of the elite. The War on Drugs has resulted in 1.5 million adults incarcerated that meet the criteria for substance abuse disorders. Only 11 percent of inmates diagnosed with substance abuse disorders receive treatment while incarcerated. Approximately 375,000 inmates diagnosed with mental health disorders cycle through the jail system every day.

Citizens fear that immigrants burden the welfare system, yet Americans contribute funds to an unrestricted welfare state within the prison system. Systematic racism and structural inequality are expensive. Mass incarceration costs the United States $52 billion annually, at a daily rate of $113.87 per inmate. Direct costs associated with fueling the prison pipeline, are clothing, food, shelter, health care services, transportation and infrastructure. Administrative costs include staff salaries, professional training, benefits and legal expenses.

There is historical evidence, of substantial social and economic cost associated with mass incarceration. In the state of California, 63 percent of the jail population are detained due to an inability to afford monetary bail for pre-trial release. The majority of adults detained in jail are suspected of non-violent offenses that present low risk to public safety. If government legislation was merited in humanity and justice, drug-related charges would be processed in drug court, and individuals impaired by behavioral health would be processed through specialty mental health courts governed in treatment. Rehabilitation and reduced recidivism rates are priceless in the protection of community wellness.

The monetary bail system indirectly preys on the family system, by using financial sanctions to deny freedom to low-risk defendants “suspected” of a criminal offense. The predatory commercial surety bail system has dismantled the family structure. Defendants suffer loss of employment, family separation and long-term mental health impairment from stress associated with conditions of imprisonment. Children are disseminated throughout the social welfare system due to abandonment inflicted by the criminal justice system.

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Newsom should sign bill granting civilian oversight of sheriff’s departments Studies have shown that incarceration reduces the annual income of adult men by 40 percent. Individuals with criminal charges are exposed to civic exclusions, and barriers to attaining public housing and employment, which diminishes human dignity and self-worth. Yet, Americans are not concerned with the plight of incarcerated individuals.

This is a call of action for equal treatment in accordance to law that is representative of all people, and protection of rights under the Constitution. Advocating for equal liberties, fair sentencing policies, due process, and allocation of federal monies that support paroled offenders in the community, is the highest form of civic duty.

Morgan D. Love-Warren is a MSW graduate student at the University of Southern California. Love-Warren is a Pasadena resident.