The Changing Racial Dynamics of Women s Incarceration Marc Mauer Executive Director The Sentencing Project October 15, 2013
Overview Growth of incarceration, 1972 2010 Slowing rate of growth, 2000 2010 Factors contributing to decline in state prison populations Rising rate of women s incarceration, 1980 2010 Changing racial dynamics of women s incarceration Factors contributing to trends for black women and white women Policy issues and recommendations
Growth of Incarceration, 1972 2010 600% 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
Slowing Rate of Prison Growth 1990 2000: Median growth of 71% in state prisons 2000 2010: Median growth of 21% in state prisons
State Prison Population Declines 2000 2010: 47 states experienced at least one year of decline in prison population 5 states produced overall decline in prison population, 2000 2010 Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York New Jersey and New York 25% decline
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
Growth of Women s Incarceration, 1980 2010 1980 13,000 women in prison 4% of prison population 2010 112,000 women in prison 7% of prison population Rate of growth, 1980 2010: Women: 646% Men: 419%
1986 Women: 12% Men: 8% 2009 Women: 25.7% Men: 17.2% Drug Offenses as % of Prison Population
Race/Gender Trends, 2000 2009 Men Number 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 White Black Hispanic 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Race/Gender Trends, 2000 2009 Women 60,000 50,000 Number 40,000 30,000 20,000 White Black Hispanic 10,000 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Changing Rates of Incarceration, 2000 2009 Men Black - 9.8% White + 8.5% Hispanic - 2.2% Women Black - 30.7% White + 47.1% Hispanic + 23.3%
Changing Racial/Ethnic Disparity in Incarceration for Women 2000 2009 Ratio 2000 Ratio 2009 % Change Black/white 6.0 to 1 2.8 to 1-53.3% Hispanic/white 1.8 to 1 1.5 to 1-16.7%
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
Changes in Most Serious Offense of Female Prisoners in 12 States, 2000-2009 Race Offense 2000 2009 Difference % of Total Difference White Violent 5,165 6,992 1,827 27.4% Property 4,571 7,588 3,017 45.2% Drug 4,866 6,697 1,831 27.4% TOTAL 14,602 21,277 6,675 Black Violent 6,332 6,574 242 13.3% Property 4,570 4,388-182 -10.0% Drug 6,387 4,514-1,873-103.3% TOTAL 17,289 15,476-1,813
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
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
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 2000-2009 explained by reduced drug offenders Entire women s drug offender decline consisted of African Americans and Latinas
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?
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
The Changing Racial Dynamics of Women s Incarceration By Marc Mauer Available at: www.sentencingproject.org