The United States has the highest incarcerated rate in this mainstream society. Mass incarceration has resulted in a large number of collateral consequences or what’s otherwise known as invisible barriers. These invisible barriers have affected family members financially and emotionally and have created social exposure to the children of the incarcerated. Many of the offenders that get released back into society have little to no employment or education history which makes it harder for them to re-integrate into our competitive society.
Keywords: Mass incarceration, invisible barriers, employment, education
Invisible Barriers:
The Shadows of Our Justice System
In this mainstream society, incarceration and its accompanying invisible …show more content…
Studies have shown that acquiring and maintaining employment associates with a lower risk of recidivism and a lower risk of committing criminal activity. (Bernstein & Houston 2000; Western & Pettit 2000). The question at hand is whether incarceration is producing more crime and harm then its suppose to prevent. If an individual is released from prison and isn’t able to find employment, and able to find housing they will most likely continue doing what got them into prison the first time and even committing a worse offense because they’re completely being excluded from society. How can society expect ex-offenders to successfully re-integrate into society and reduce the chances of them committing crimes when they are subjected to exclusions hinder the opportunity of successfully re-integrating into …show more content…
Their findings revealed that more than 1.5 million Americans are in prisons and that as the result of disproportionality. Between 70 million and 100 million Americans have a criminal record by the age of 23. Having a minor criminal record or a misdemeanor or even arrest without a conviction is a long-term irreversible damage that can potentially create an array of lifelong barriers that stay in the way of successfully re-entering into the society and become successful contributors. These elements create a gap between the poor and our mainstream society creating an array of social exclusions that further impoverish disadvantage
Keywords: Mass incarceration, invisible barriers, employment, education
Invisible Barriers:
The Shadows of Our Justice System
In this mainstream society, incarceration and its accompanying invisible …show more content…
Studies have shown that acquiring and maintaining employment associates with a lower risk of recidivism and a lower risk of committing criminal activity. (Bernstein & Houston 2000; Western & Pettit 2000). The question at hand is whether incarceration is producing more crime and harm then its suppose to prevent. If an individual is released from prison and isn’t able to find employment, and able to find housing they will most likely continue doing what got them into prison the first time and even committing a worse offense because they’re completely being excluded from society. How can society expect ex-offenders to successfully re-integrate into society and reduce the chances of them committing crimes when they are subjected to exclusions hinder the opportunity of successfully re-integrating into …show more content…
Their findings revealed that more than 1.5 million Americans are in prisons and that as the result of disproportionality. Between 70 million and 100 million Americans have a criminal record by the age of 23. Having a minor criminal record or a misdemeanor or even arrest without a conviction is a long-term irreversible damage that can potentially create an array of lifelong barriers that stay in the way of successfully re-entering into the society and become successful contributors. These elements create a gap between the poor and our mainstream society creating an array of social exclusions that further impoverish disadvantage