Economic Disparity and Policies Lead to Prison Essay --

Introduction According to Marc Mauer, (1998) the prisoners detained in US jails close to half of the prison inmates are African-Americans, as compared to others (Marc Mauer, 1998). It is fared that if current policies and the state of economic disparity remain in place, it is likely that the number of this unfortunate community / minorities will increase over the next few years and the economic disorder will keep increasing the economic and racial disparities and the state of imprisonment will grow even further. The situation as is being anticipated, despite the drop in crime in recent years, may easily be said to be largely fueled by the element of poverty and the harsher sentencing policies that have resulted in more recurrent and frequent prison terms for African Americans. Marc Mauer, (1998) has opined in his article under reference that if African Americans continue to be met with the same kind treatment they are likely to continue to be drug offenders and continue to represent a substantial proportion of the prison population. The policies based on racial discrimination have been another grey area and the gap in our policies, will further affect minorities who have already been disproportionately affected by economic disparities and weak drug enforcement practices and policies. Effects of Economic Disparity and Policies on African Americans African Americans in US society have unequal access to basic necessities and other resources; due to poor economic conditions. Moreover they are being excluded from access to basic resources, and are being subjected to the degrading treatment, which causes lot of hatred and discontentment in them. The logical question that rises in every body’s mind is about the future of this communit... ...for a poor man to get due justice. The only alternate then left with him is to go for some extra ordinary act that could fetch him some money or otherwise guaranteed piece of bread in prison. References Atiq Rahman, (1998) Environment and the poor Focused action, greater attention needed The Independent (Internet Edition) retrieved from http://www.independent-bangladesh.com/news/jan/30/30012003pd.htm Internet Article, (2003) Economic Justice in America retrieved from http://www.ppjr.org/econjust/ News Release, (1997) Study of African American children in Texas shows some improvements, but many children still at risk Released October 1, 1997 A project of the Center for Public Policy Priorities 900 Lydia Street Austin, Texas Marc Mauer, (1998) Racial Disparities Hartford, Connecticut The Sentencing Project Presented to Council of State Governments June 12, 1998