Black mass incarceration in the so-called Free State

Until recently, the horrifyingly unjust reality of America’s mass incarceration system has not been a central concern in popular political discourse. In the past few years, however, more people have learned about the brutality and inhumanity of mass incarceration as artists, activists, documentarians, and elected officials have called attention to the broken U.S. criminal justice system—and its disproportionate harm to Black and Brown people. But is this increased awareness of the problem translating to increased efforts to address it?While officials like Maryland's Gov. Larry Hogan say they're reducing incarceration rates and improving prison conditions, the data tells a different story. For instance, the Justice Policy Institute's report "Rethinking Approaches to Over Incarceration of Black Young Adults in Maryland" shows that Maryland incarcerates Black people at more than twice the national rate and leads the country in incarcerating young Black men. In this episode of "Rattling the Bars," Eddie Conway speaks with Justice Policy Institute's Marc Schindler and returning citizen Shasta Deen about how the repercussions of slavery are still felt in Maryland's justice system.Read the transcript of this video: https://therealnews.com/black-mass-incarceration-in-the-so-called-free-stateRead the Justice Policy Institute report: http://www.justicepolicy.org/research/12702?utm_source=%2fMarylandYoungAdultHelp us continue producing Rattling the Bars by following us and making a small donation: Donate: https://therealnews.com/donate-yt-rtbSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/nl-yt-rtbGet Rattling the Bars updates: https://therealnews.com/up-yt-rtbLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnewsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rattling-the-bars--4799829/support.

Om Podcasten

Rattling the Bars puts the voices of the people most harmed by our system of mass incarceration at the center of our reporting on the fight to end it. The show was founded by the late Black Panther and political prisoner Marshall “Eddie” Conway, and is now hosted by Charles Hopkins, better known as Mansa Musa, who himself spent 48 years behind bars.Rattling the Bars offers an honest look at the lives of prisoners, returning citizens, their families, and their communities. With Rattling the Bars, by presenting hard data and real-life stories, we examine and seek to shift public opinion around the misconception that incarceration, punishment, and increased policing make cities safer—the truth of which has been disproven by countless studies. The series examines the history and root causes of the current so-called justice system. It showcases individuals and communities nationwide who are grappling with real solutions to problems created by the prison-industrial complex.Help us continue producing Rattling the Bars by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletter