While it is well known that national rates of imprisonment for African Americans are higher than for other groups, substantial variation exists among the states in the degree of racial disparity in the use of incarceration. In addition, the increasing rate of incarceration of African American males is now creating a variety of unintended consequences of great concern. Nationally, the black rate of incarceration in state prisons during this period increased from 6.88 times that of whites to 7.66. Twelve states and the District of Columbia incarcerate African Americans at a rate more than ten times that of whites. African American males is either currently or permanently disenfranchised from voting as a result of a felony conviction.
Job creation can have a substantial impact on violent crime.
Research has shown that there is little racial difference in rates of violence when controlling for marriage and stable employment. Restore appropriate judicial discretion, particularly for low-risk drug offenders. Recommendations Revise national drug spending priorities to offer treatment to the one million addicts who do not have access to treatment each year. Divert non-violent property offenders and minor drug offenders to structured alternatives to incarceration. Eliminate mandatory sentencing and other sentencing policies that have had a disproportionate impact on women and minorities.