The Changing Racial Dynamics of Women s Incarceration

Transcription

1 The Changing Racial Dynamics of Women s Incarceration Marc Mauer Executive Director The Sentencing Project October 15, 2013

2 Overview Growth of incarceration, Slowing rate of growth, Factors contributing to decline in state prison populations Rising rate of women s incarceration, Changing racial dynamics of women s incarceration Factors contributing to trends for black women and white women Policy issues and recommendations

3 Growth of Incarceration, % increase in number of people in prisons and jails U.S. has become world leader in rate of incarceration 1980s growth rates as high as 12% in some years 2.2 million people in prison and jail today

4 Slowing Rate of Prison Growth : Median growth of 71% in state prisons : Median growth of 21% in state prisons

5 State Prison Population Declines : 47 states experienced at least one year of decline in prison population 5 states produced overall decline in prison population, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York New Jersey and New York 25% decline

6 Factors Contributing to Slowing Rate of Growth Declining crime rates Law enforcement - shift in strategies for drug arrests (NY) Parole reducing return to prison for technical violations (MI, KS) Parole halfway back parole violator centers (NJ) Prison back end reforms, merit time reduction for program participation

7 Growth of Women s Incarceration, ,000 women in prison 4% of prison population ,000 women in prison 7% of prison population Rate of growth, : Women: 646% Men: 419%

8 1986 Women: 12% Men: 8% 2009 Women: 25.7% Men: 17.2% Drug Offenses as % of Prison Population

9 Race/Gender Trends, Men Number 700, , , , , , ,000 White Black Hispanic

10 Race/Gender Trends, Women 60,000 50,000 Number 40,000 30,000 20,000 White Black Hispanic 10,

11 Changing Rates of Incarceration, Men Black - 9.8% White + 8.5% Hispanic - 2.2% Women Black % White % Hispanic %

12 Changing Racial/Ethnic Disparity in Incarceration for Women Ratio 2000 Ratio 2009 % Change Black/white 6.0 to to % Hispanic/white 1.8 to to %

13 Factors Contributing to Changing Racial Dynamics of Women s Incarceration Varied story around the country 50 states, local policies and practices Not necessarily the same story for white and black women

14 Changes in Most Serious Offense of Female Prisoners in 12 States, Race Offense Difference % of Total Difference White Violent 5,165 6,992 1, % Property 4,571 7,588 3, % Drug 4,866 6,697 1, % TOTAL 14,602 21,277 6,675 Black Violent 6,332 6, % Property 4,570 4, % Drug 6,387 4,514-1, % TOTAL 17,289 15,476-1,813

15 Key Findings 12 States White women: Nearly half (45%) of increase due to property offenses One quarter (27%) each due to rise for violent and drug offenses Black women: Almost entire decline due to reduced drug offenses Modest rise (13%) for violent offenses and modest decline (-10%) for property offenses

16 Changes in White Women s Incarceration and Drug Offenses Rising arrest and incarceration for methamphetamine offenses in some states likely to contribute to higher rates of incarceration for white women Harsh mandatory sentencing policies for methamphetamine offenses in federal system and some states

17 Changes in Black Women s Incarceration and Drug Offenses Declining drug incarceration in some states may benefit black women New York State: Entire decline of women s prison population explained by reduced drug offenders Entire women s drug offender decline consisted of African Americans and Latinas

18 Changing Socioeconomics and Women Life expectancy at birth for less educated (less than high school) white women declined by 5 years from 1990 to 2008 Less educated black women experienced a slight rise in life expectancy Key factors: smoking and joblessness Employment contributes to sense of purpose in life and sense of community Why don t these factors affect black women in similar ways?

19 Recommendations Conduct state-based analyses of changes in disparity Establish statewide racial disparity task forces Connecticut, Illinois, Wisconsin Provide technical assistance to jurisdictions to address disparities ABA, Burns Institute Adopt proactive racial impact statement legislation Iowa, Connecticut

20 The Changing Racial Dynamics of Women s Incarceration By Marc Mauer Available at: