Plan:

Introduction:
- Brief overview of the flawed United States criminal justice system
o Racial disparities within prisons in the United States.
 Citation: (Hetey and Eberhardt, 2018; Hinton, 2018; Wexler, Lurigio, and
Rodriguez, 2011; NCSL, No date)
o Statistics of mass incarceration within the United States.
 Citation: (Bureau of Justice, 2010, cited in Wexler, Lurigio, and Rodriguez, 2011)
o The rise of mass incarceration through the “tough on crime” era.
 Citation: (Stone-Mediatore, No date; Brumfield-Young; No date)
- Topic sentence:
o The US criminal justice system is viewed by some as one that is deeply flawed, this is due
to a variety of reasons.
- Thesis statement:
o This essay seeks to identify the many forms of injustice and discrimination that taint the
US’ criminal justice system and highlight possible strategies for improvement to
emphasize the United States’ urgency for reformations against the ongoing corruption
within the criminal justice system.

Paragraph two (Motivations behind reformation and impacts of flaws)

- Importance of reforming the system
o Addressing racial disparities
o Decreasing high recidivism rates
o Impact of mass incarceration
- Topic sentence:
o Addressing the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on minorities,
lowering recidivism rates, and mitigating the impact of mass incarceration are all critical
motivations driving reformation efforts within the system.

Paragraph three (Strategies for reform and its potential impacts)

Strategies that have been suggested

- Scientific Advancements for Crime Prevention

o Explanation: Discuss the recommendation of using scientific advancements for crime
prevention. (Mauer and Epstein, 2012)
- Addressing Mental Health, Drug Addiction, and Poverty
o Explanation: Discuss the need to address mental health issues, drug addiction, and
poverty within the prison population.
- Redirecting Resources for Rehabilitation
o Explanation: Herman's (2018) suggestion of redirecting resources within prisons for
battling addiction, poverty, and mental illness.
- Reducing Recidivism
 o Explanation: Emphasize the importance of rehabilitation programs, including
educational and vocational training, mental health support, and substance abuse
treatment within the prison system. (Travis, Western, and Redburn, 2014; Urban
Institute, 2018)
- Discarding Excessive Sentences
o Explanation: Highlight the need to reevaluate sentencing policies, especially mandatory
sentences, to address overcrowded prisons. (Mauer and Epstein, 2012; Herman, 2018)
- Addressing Racial Disparities
o Explanation: Stress the importance of redirecting funds and investing in programs to
target racial inequalities within the criminal justice system. (Vera Institute of Justice,
2014; The Sentencing Project, 2021)

Paragraph four (Conclusion paragraph)

- It is important that the United States criminal justice system is reformed in order to address the
inequality and discrimination running rampant throughout it.

Essay:
Introduction:
The US criminal justice system is viewed by some as one that is deeply flawed, this is due to a variety of
reasons. First and foremost being the disproportion in which it affects minorities in the United States,
specifically Black people, and the millions of lives that fell victim to its systemic bias and were
subsequently derailed (Hetey and Eberhardt, 2018; Hinton, 2018; Wexler, Lurigio, and Rodriguez, 2011;
NCSL, No date). The racial disparities within the United States’ criminal justice system can be clearly
identified once provided with the following statistic: African American males suffer from a 1 in 3 chance
of being imprisoned. Hispanics are similarly, but not as largely, affected – 1 in 6 Latino males born today
can expect to be incarcerated within his lifetime. On the contrast, their white male counterparts only
experience a 1 in 17 chance (Hetey and Eberhardt, 2018). Secondly, mass incarceration has led to
overcrowded holding facilities. According to the NCSL (National Conference of State Legislators),
approximately 1 in every 3 American adults have a criminal record. Moreover, the United States has the
highest reported number of imprisoned individuals in the world (Bureau of Justice, 2010, cited in
Wexler, Lurigio, and Rodriguez, 2011). The number of incarcerated Americans notably increased in the
1980s by around 290% with the rise of the “tough on crime” era. (Wexler, Lurigio, and Rodriguez, 2011).
During this era, overall stricter rules and regulations were imposed on convicts: longer prison sentences,
minimum sentences, zero-tolerance drug policies, and laws that eased the process of police search and
seizure (Stone-Mediatore, No date; Brumfield-Young; No date). This essay seeks to emphasize the
United States’ urgency for reformations against the ongoing corruption within the criminal justice
system, to identify the many forms of injustice and discrimination that taint the US’ criminal justice
system, and to highlight possible strategies for improvement.

Paragraph 2:
Addressing the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on minorities, lowering recidivism
rates, and mitigating the impact of mass incarceration are all critical motivations driving reformation
efforts within the system. There is a large disconnect between the percentages of incarcerated minorities
when compared to the population percentage they round up to. To elaborate, in 2011, African
Americans and Hispanics made up 13.2% and 17.1% of the United States population, respectively.
However, they are incarcerated at rates of 36.46% and 21.99% (Erickson, 2014). This disparity is a clear
indication of how the criminal justice system disproportionately affects minorities. This obvious
discrepancy is interlinked with the essay’s next point – recidivism rates. According to research, African
American males have the highest recidivism rate (Langan & Levin, 2002, cited in Reisig et al., 2007).
Higher black rates of crime can be explained by individual characteristics, such as social class, criminal
history, and lower levels of education (Reisig et al., 2007). Reisig et al. (2007) hypothesize that a reason
behind the high recidivism rates seen within the African American population is the criminal justice
system’s existing discrimination against minorities. To expand, the discrimination experienced by black
people through the criminal justice system leads to them having more extensive criminal records, which
in turn, according to the studies cited in Reisig et al. (2007, p. 5), increases the chances of
reconviction/rearrest. Regardless of the racial inequities observed in recidivism rates, 60% of the general
prison population is rearrested exclusive of race. This directly impacts the staggering incarceration rates
that have been observed in the criminal justice system. Mass incarceration not only directly affects
convicts but also the community and society as a whole. The consequences of mass incarceration can be
societal, familial, economic, and behavioral. For one, family members of imprisoned persons are more
likely to suffer within their personal lives. For example, wives and girlfriends of prisoners are more likely
to experience depression and financial instability. Moreover, behavioral problems are more likely to
manifest in the children of prisoners. This can also lead to children with poor academics. In terms of
behavioral consequences on the prisoner, a certain study has found that a prolonged time in
imprisonment can develop apathy within inmates (Brown and Patterson, 2016). Furthermore, the
United States government faces economic repercussions due to mass incarceration. The crowded prisons
and subsequent increased budgets have caused funds to be reallocated from programs that are vital to
society over to the prison system (Wexler, Lurigio, and Rodriguez, 2011; Brown and Patterson, 2016).

Paragraph 3
There have been various recommendations for possible reformations published. Mauer and Epstein
(2012) suggest using scientific advancements for crime prevention. Investing in crime prevention through
scientific research and advocating for adequate funding to crime scientists will help mitigate and identify
crime trends. By understanding the root causes of criminal behavior and implementing evidence-based
prevention methods, it becomes possible to address issues before they escalate. This approach not only
reduces the burden on the criminal justice system but will also create a more rehabilitative and
constructive system. Moreover, a huge proportion of the prison population suffer from mental health
issues, drug addiction, or poverty (Ditton, 1999; Lyons and Cantrell, 2015). This isn’t representative of
the entire population; however, these characteristics have helped pave the inmates’ way into prison. So,
seeing as the current prison system isn’t efficiently keeping inmates out of prison as evidenced by high
recidivism rates, another initiative is suggested. Herman (2018) suggests an ideal system in which mass
incarceration would be squashed. Resources that are usually allocated within prisons will be redirected
to more productive methods of battling addiction, poverty, and mental illness. Correctional facilities are
encouraged to actually “correct” or rehabilitate the inmates, rather than punish them. Other authors
seem to share the same sentiment. For effective reform, a comprehensive approach to reducing
recidivism is essential. This involves implementing rehabilitation programs. For example, educational and
vocational training opportunities, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment within the
prison system (Urban Institute, 2018; Travis, Western, & Redburn, 2014). Post-release support and
reentry programs are equally vital to ensure individuals reintegrate successfully into society.
Furthermore, discarding excessive sentences is a key factor when it comes to reform. Mandatory
sentences, in particular, have contributed to an overcrowded prison system. Mauer and Epstein (2012)
and Herman (2018) emphasize the need to reevaluate sentencing policies, especially the disparities
between sentence lengths and the seriousness of the crimes committed. A more just approach to
sentencing and reevaluation of policies could lead to a reduction in the prison population. Finally, In
addressing racial disparities, redirecting funds and investing in programs that specifically target racial
inequalities within the criminal justice system is crucial. Initiatives focusing on community policing,
implicit (formerly unconscious) bias training for law enforcement, and community engagement programs
have helped in addressing racial disparities (Ghandnoosh, Barry, and Trinka, 2023).

Conclusion
In conclusion, the above flaws outlined within the United States criminal justice system require a
persistent approach to reform. Addressing racial disparities, mass incarceration, and recidivism requires
a focused effort from legislators, law enforcement, and the community. By redirecting funds to more
productive programs, investing in crime prevention through scientific research, and discarding excessive
sentences, and engaging with initiatives that specifically target racial inequality, the criminal justice
system can move towards a more just and rehabilitative court system. It is important to acknowledge the
consequences of mass incarceration and work towards solutions that prioritize both public safety and
the prisoners’ individual well-being.

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