There are over 2.4 million people sitting in American prisons right now. Rates of incarceration in this country have increased 400% over the past 30 years. Between 1990 and 2009 the number of Americans housed in private prisons has risen 1600%.
This has led many to declare that we are living in an age of mass incarceration driven by a justice system that is over-criminalizing the citizenry, and in particular, racial minorities, low income individuals and youth.
What is driving this explosive growth in incarceration rates nationally? What are the impacts of high levels of imprisonment on overall crime? And what rehabilitation programs are in place to counter recidivism and are they showing results?
We will explore these and many more questions concerning the future of the US criminal justice system with our esteemed guests:
- Dan Satterberg, King County Prosecuting Attorney
- Nikkita Oliver, Community Organizer / UW Law Student
