Chapter 4 the Cruel Hand discuss what happens when a prisoner is released and reenters the society.  Michelle Alexander points out how society strategically cast out ex-offenders once they are released.Upon being released ex-offenders are  ineligible for federally funded programs including public assistance, housing, and they are denied political rights. The lost of these rights and privileges often come as debilitating shock to ex-offenders. “In addition to this legalized discrimination, criminals face social… (rejection)…, and are often distrusted and ostracized in their communities and families.” Watch the video below for the full chapter on the Cruel Hand.Â
In 2012, the United States Censors Bureau reported that 78% of America’s population was Caucasian while 14% were Black. According to the NAACP “African Americans now constitute nearly 1 million of the total 2.3 million incarcerated population, and African Americans are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites.” Michelle Alexander does a great job of pointing out how law enforcement is targeting the Black community. Chapter 3 The Color of Justice investigated the ways that a supposedly race-neutral Criminal Justice system ended up focusing on disproportionately “black and brown men.” From these findings we can conclude that something is inherently wrong with the Criminal Justice system.Â
In my opinion, the real consequence set in when Blacks are denied the rights to vote or receive public housing because of convictions. Theoretically prisons are made for rehabilitation but ex-offenders return to society without the assistance they need to turn a new leaf. The war on drugs is hurting the community, people are suffering and something needs to be done about it. Post a comment and let me know how you feel. See you in the next post covering the Cruel Hand.
“The Lockdown describes the structure of mass incarceration, focusing on the “War on Drugs.” Alexander discusses the expanded powers and incentives of the police and the fate of those who become ensnared by the system. She points out that those arrested seldom receive meaningful legal representation and are pressured into plea bargain deals that involve extended control by the penal system, from which they have a slim chance of freeing themselves.”
“Those who have been swept within the criminal justice system know that the way the system actually works bears little resemblance to what happens on television or the movies.” On October 15 2008 Michael Mineo was arrested for inhaling marijuana near a train station, following the arrest three NYPD officers proceeded to sodomized Mr. Mineo with a policy radio antenna. We rarely get to see this type of story on T.V. programs advocating Law & order. Television programs like “Law & order Criminal Intent,” “CSI: NY,” or “Cops” that romanticize drug-laws, portray certain imagery that lead viewers to believe detectives or cops conduct legal investigations on suspects, but victims like Michael Mineo experiences a different story. For more information on Mineo case watch the video up below.
 In the Lockdown chapter Michelle Alexander addressed the war on drugs by discussing the motives of this law followed by it’s influence on society and how it targets a certain audience. Alexander gives an account of how police officers side step the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution under a policy called the Terry Stop . Under the Terry Stop police may conduct a Stop and Frisk with a reasonable suspicion of illegal activities. A large amount of the Stop and Frisk victims are not formally charged or even see a court room. The few charges which ‘stick’ give the false impression that this procedure is effective and doesn’t cause a disparate impact on society. Alexander also point out the financial incentive giving to police in the form of federal grants to conduct mass search and sizer operations. Watch the video below for the full “Lockdown” chapter.
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One question to my viewers is what will you do about this post? Please leave a comment below and thank you for stopping by at Justice for All.
The next post for this series will be “The Color Of Justice.”
Chris Brogan “After the Event- Carrying the Conversation Forward ” blog entry inspired me to re-post his topic and discuss carrying the conversation forward for Justice for All. In the next couple of post a blog series will take place on Michelle Alexander book entitled “The New Jim Crow Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.” I think it’s fair to evaluate the terms and conditions for African Americans being targeted for mass incarceration in order to carry the Justice for All conversation forward. This series will be centered on three chapters from Michelle Alexander book. The first entry will cover “The Lockdown” chapter, the second entry will cover “The Color of Justice,” the third entry will discuss “The Cruel Hand.” For more information on Michelle Alexander book and how you can join the movement click the picture blow. I look forward to bringing a great series and seeing you at the next post.
