Mass Incarceration
Packed Prisons a Result of Misdirected Focus
Legacy of Mass Incarceration: Parental Incarceration Impacts One in 14 Children
By Christopher Zoukis A recent study by the research firm Child Trends revealed a stunning consequence of our nation’s policy and practice of mass incarceration: one out of every 14 children in the U.S. has a parent who is currently or has previously been incarcerated. In other words, a staggering seven percent of America’s youth –…
Read MorePrison Misuse a Huge Burden on Taxpayers, Society
Mass incarceration costs billions each year, but the toll on society is not just financial. By Christopher Zoukis There are myriad issues with the current U.S. system of mass incarceration where more people are imprisoned than any other country in the world, and often in a hugely skewed manner — one which varies widely across…
Read MoreMuseums Take Measures to Spotlight, Reduce Mass Incarceration
By Christopher Zoukis At a time when museums aim to become more active hubs in communities and are taking stances on social justice issues, some are using their spaces and voices to address the issue of mass incarceration, and as venues to implement new rehabilitation and alternative sentencing programs. Many museums are also learning that…
Read MorePresident Trump Preaches Privatization
by Christopher Zoukis In the weeks and days leading up to the inauguration of Donald Trump, he made several statements about privatization — and his team is full of privatization supporters. From public television, to Veterans Affairs to prisons — there are many things he seems to be considering privatizing. As prisons go, this is…
Read MoreInitiative Examines Mass Incarceration From Past to Present
New initiative aims to foster understanding and discussion on the topic of mass incarceration through the lens of history and current events. By Christopher Zoukis In 2014, the Colorado College history department embarked on an initiative called the Social Issues and Historical Context Initiative, with the goal of demonstrating the connections between history and current…
Read MoreProposed Illinois Life Skills Facility to Benefit Prisoners Poised for Release
Providing education and life skills to help prisoners return to society will be the focus of a refurbished facility that once housed juveniles. By Christopher Zoukis Criminal Justice reform has been a major focus for Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois, and a number of changes have already been made toward the ultimate goal of reducing…
Read MoreTaking the Charter School Approach to Prison
By Andra Ghent America spends a lot of money locking up a lot of people. Understandably, legislators are trying to find ways of cutting prison costs without increasing crime rates. One tactic legislators increasingly rely on to manage costs is private prisons. Research from the Sentencing Project shows that, between 1999 and 2010, the share…
Read More