Wealth as a Determining Factor in the American Criminal Justice System
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2023-08-23
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en
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In the United States, incarceration rates have been increasing rapidly over the past few decades. Interestingly, crime rates have not been following the same trend. Although the declaration of independence states that “All men are created equal”, this seems in stark contrast with the reality of prison life in the United States. People from low income and minority communities constitute a disproportional share of those who are currently incarcerated. This thesis examines how wealth can influence one’s position in the American justice system and subsequent rehabilitation. Drawing from the theory of neoliberalism, several components of the criminal justice system are critically analyzed. It aims to provide an explanation for the relatively recent shift within the penal system, which heavily centers around the importance of individual responsibility and harsh punishment, and the negative impact this may have on impoverished people.
Key words: Inequality, Privatization, Minorities, Wealth, Neoliberalism
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