Briellebudroe

PEER EDIT

HISTORY

Since the late 1970s, prosecution of drug cases has been the central contributor to both the expansion of prisons and the “philosophical shift” to that of a more punitive system. In the early 1980s, the Nixon administration introduced the political term “War on Drugs,” condemning all unapproved drug use. This effort was further enforced by the Reagan administration who championed (Perhaps another word: 'pressed'or something? )the sales of illegal drugs as a critical political issue. The passage of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines compelled judges to give lengthy sentences even when they believed the defendant was not a threat to society. The guidelines were very fixed, providing a “detailed list of point allocations for every illegal drug and specific sentence for the amount possessed or sold.” These strict guidelines sent men and women away for decades. The number of women in prison and the time they spent inside grew significantly throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The War on Drugs has been a major contributor to the increase in U.S. incarceration. More so, it has also expanded the criminalization of people by race and gender. For example, there has been a distinct increase in the number of incarcerated African American and Latina women in the U.S (CITE?).

SOCIAL FACTORS

Understanding the socioeconomic conditions that foster the cycle of mass incarceration is the only way in which the U.S. may improve its prison systems (FEELS LIKE A CALL TO ACTION). The exponential growth of female inmates reflects the “pervasive gender mandates” in America as well as women’s lower-ranking social and economic status (Interrupted LIfe, 6). The overrepresentation of minorities and poor people in prison reflects the “deeply entrenched forces of institutional racism and class prejudice.” (Interrupted Life, 6). Notably, poverty, racism, domestic violence, and addiction intersect to create a “cycle of survival, criminalization, and repeated incarceration” (Interrupted Life, 11). In her book Interrupted Life, historian Rickie Solinger believes that four factors contribute to the prison crisis. First, the impacts of globalization and economic restructuring on low-income communities. Second, the war on drugs (SHOULD THESE BE CAPITALIZED?), a U.S. policy that has been led in global nature (I"M NOT SURE WHAT THIS MEANS? HAS IT INFLUENCED SIMILAR POLICY'S GLOBALLY? CAN YOU CITE THEM?). Third, the role of globalization in fueling migration from the global South, the criminalization of migration, and (FEELS LIKE A CHAIN OF CAUSE AND EFFECT, MAYBE THROW IN A "THE RESULTING") growth of immigrant incarceration. Lastly, emergence of a prison-industrial complex; a relationship between corporate and governmental interests that has led to prison expansion in the U.S.(12) Along with these items, women’s poverty is criminalized in many ways. In face of declining incomes and few economic opportunities, women often have (NO) choice but to turn to the street economy, sex work, petty theft, welfare “fraud,” and other means of survival. (13) For many women, personal or domestic violence and sexual abuse are a part of their incarceration (Kilgore, 157). For poor women especially, experiences of violence, particularly in the household, may incite behavior that leads to arrest and criminal charges. (Kilgore 158) Poverty is also criminalized when women with mental illness, most who have experienced post-traumatic symptoms from childhood and adult trauma, come into contact with the law, either through “antisocial or violent behavior or through self-medication with illegal drugs” (14). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Raerose (talk • contribs) 22:19, 28 November 2018 (UTC)

Peer review

Overall I loved what you have written. Your source itself is great and adds lots of meat to your article. The history section is virtually flawless in substance and provides a thorough background on your chosen topic. You may benefit from spending more time on the Nixon era policies and flush them out better, or even adding sources pertaining to his administration and such policies. Such as drug classification laws and speeches he gave. I think the sentence"The number of women in prison and the time they spent inside grew significantly throughout the 1980s and 1990s." needs possibly a stat or source to substantiate the claim.

As for your "Social Factors" section, I love what you had to say and agree with all of it. I do feel like some of it comes off as more of analysis then fact and possibly could be rephrased to portray the same thing, but in fact form. In better words, it feels like an essay with a thesis and analysis then straight information. I do believe with more information, diverse sources, and a little more added, this section could be flawless.

Your information does seem balanced, and needs a little more work to appear more neutral. This is an excellent foundation to work off of and seems really interesting! --Jperry98 (talk) 22:31, 28 November 2018 (UTC)