By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Crime and punishment. There’s a whole book written about it. But there’s also been a series of important discussions about the topic over the summer held by the Riley Institute at Furman University that’s been mostly ignored by the media.
That’s too bad, particularly in our state where more than 21,000 people are in prison — six times more than 40 years ago. Of the number of people incarcerated in state prisons, 64 percent are black — more than double the percentage of African Americans who live in the Palmetto State.
But it’s not just a South Carolina problem, says historian Heather Thompson of the University of Michigan. It’s a national problem that she characterizes as the “civil rights crisis of the 21st century” because of how it impacts poverty, racial inequality and other community issues.
“It actually exacerbates all other inequalities — all other social problems that we face as a society, the things we seek to make better,” she told a Furman audience in July. “The way we’ve handled our justice system actually makes those things much, much worse.”
Some data she shared during the institute’s month-long weekly series called “Crime and Punishment: Thinking Outside the Cell:”
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Click on the chart to see better detail. Nationally, there are 2.4 million people in jails, state prisons and federal penitentiaries. That number means the United States has the world’s highest incarceration rate, by far. Places like Iraq, the United Kingdom, Australia and Saudi Arabia incarcerate 140 to 160 people per 100,000 citizens. In the U.S., there are 707 Americans per 100,000 people locked up. That number is seven times greater — 4,347 people per 100,000 — for black Americans.
- It’s not just a Southern problem, she said. In Pennsylvania, for example, the number of black prisoners outpace white prisoners by a 9-to-1 ratio.
- If you look at who is in jail compared to who is committing crimes, blacks far outpace whites. More than 70 percent of illegal drug users are white, she said, but 50 percent of drug prisoners are black, according to national data.
To suggest that the criminal justice system is completely color blind is as wacky as something illegal too many people smoke.
Fortunately, South Carolina is leading the way in sentencing reform, which has been lowering prison populations slightly and saving millions of dollars, said Riley Institute Assistant Director Jill Fuson, who organized the university’s “Straight Talk” series on crime. Advocates also point to one state prison that has closed and how another soon will.
“Too many times, the punishment given by our system of justice doesn’t fit the crime, and we are left with an over-incarcerated population, which cripples our economy and devastates individuals, families and their communities, particularly communities of color,” Fusion observed after the series ended this week. “While we all agree that there are criminals who are a threat to our society and need to be locked up, too many people are in prison because of minor non-violent offenses or perhaps because they suffer from mental illness and/or addiction.
“Moreover, upon release from prison, returning citizens find barriers to housing, mental and physical health services, and employment — making it very difficult to reintegrate successfully as contributing members of society.”
During the four sessions, observers heard from state legislators on the need for bipartisan reform to improve justice in South Carolina. Police chiefs and community members talked about the challenges facing the law enforcement officers in their communities. They heard from a lawyers, judges and state officials about conditions inside prisons. They heard from other officials, released prisoners and leaders about issues facing those who try to reenter society after being released.
Bottom line: Mass incarceration exists in South Carolina. It’s a drag on our economy. It’s a poor approach to solving community issues. It wastes taxpayer dollars to warehouse people instead of fixing conditions in communities that lead people to crime. And in many ways, it’s a morally irresponsible approach to justice.
When there are bad, violent people who threaten communities, they need to be locked away. But locking up thousands of non-violent offenders, particularly in a racially-disproportionate manner, is questionable. South Carolina needs to be smart on crime, not just tough on crime.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!