DID YOU KNOW?
0The U.S. leads the world in incarceration with more than 2.2 million people behind bars and that number has grown 700% since 1972.
Yet- incarceration increases have not contributed to crime declines, and long prison sentences have proven ineffective as a crime control measure. Instead, incarceration has destabilized communities, drained state resources, and produced staggering racial disparities. All the while, low-income communities and communities of color continue to experience concentrated crime cycles with little access to prevention, treatment, or help.
When we lock people up, we lock ourselves in.
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Into more and more prison spending with less money for everything else.
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Into longer sentences for more people with less rehabilitation.
When we lock people up, we lock ourselves out.
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Out of violence prevention, mental health and substance abuse treatment.
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Out of wellbeing and safety for all of our communities, especially those most harmed and least helped.