In Michelle Alexander’s book The New Jim Crow she argues the point of the new caste system in the United Sates has resulted in many people becoming incarcerated and then confined to a second-class status. In Chapter 2, Alexander’s focuses on the War on Drugs and how many are incarcerated, especially people of color. Furthermore, once they are released they are not free instead, they are discriminated against in the legal sense for the rest of their lives. Brought up again the Chapter 4, where it mentions how upon release the caste system operates in a certain way where ex-offenders are unable to reintegrate into society and the current economy. She argues “that the shame and stigma of the “prison label” is, in many respects, more damaging
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Even though they are released this does not mean they are free, instead they are legally discriminated against for the rest of their lives. Yes, the offender would be put on probation of give parole, but they become ineligible to many things. For instance, “a result of his conviction he may be ineligible for many federal-funded health and welfare benefits, food stamps, public housing, and federal education assistance” (Alexander 143). Alexander also writes, “These civil penalties, although not considered punishment by out court, often make it virtually impossible for ex-offenders to integrate into the mainstream society and economy upon release” (143). This means that the ex-offender is at a second-class status once they are released for jail. According to Rachel Osier Lindley in Life After Prison: Ex-offenders Face Many Challenges When Reentering Society writes, “[Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney] says the largest barriers to building a normal life after prison are trouble finding jobs and housing, along with ongoing legal struggles.” Integration back into society and the economy is not easy especially for those coming out from jail because they are denied certain benefits because they have a record. But, this does not last for a short time instead the discrimination the ex-offenders face happens for the rest of their lives after
Even though they are released this does not mean they are free, instead they are legally discriminated against for the rest of their lives. Yes, the offender would be put on probation of give parole, but they become ineligible to many things. For instance, “a result of his conviction he may be ineligible for many federal-funded health and welfare benefits, food stamps, public housing, and federal education assistance” (Alexander 143). Alexander also writes, “These civil penalties, although not considered punishment by out court, often make it virtually impossible for ex-offenders to integrate into the mainstream society and economy upon release” (143). This means that the ex-offender is at a second-class status once they are released for jail. According to Rachel Osier Lindley in Life After Prison: Ex-offenders Face Many Challenges When Reentering Society writes, “[Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney] says the largest barriers to building a normal life after prison are trouble finding jobs and housing, along with ongoing legal struggles.” Integration back into society and the economy is not easy especially for those coming out from jail because they are denied certain benefits because they have a record. But, this does not last for a short time instead the discrimination the ex-offenders face happens for the rest of their lives after