Causes of mass incarceration and how to achieve reform

Mass incarceration is a term used to describe the United States locking up people in prisons and jails. But why does the United States lock up more people than any country in the world? It was not until the 1970s until incarceration rates began to increase rapidly. This was in response to the growing fear of drugs and crime, so legislatures began to pass tough on crime policies that would send people to prisons and jails. Simultaneously, during the Reagan administration the idea and term “War on Drugs” would spread fear across the nation of drugs and persons with substance use disorders. Furthermore, a disproportionate amount of individuals of color and low socioeconomic status were targeted and sent to prison. Reviewing previous literature on crime policies, war on drugs, and racial disparities will provide the understanding for how the United States got here. Then how does the United States see a reduction in incarceration rates and admissions? Regulating oversight of the prosecutor, investing back into communities and redefining how we sentence violent crimes all are theoretical and practical policy implications to see a reduction in prison admissions and growth.M.A.Includes bibliographical reference