Prisons Make Us Safer

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This accessible guide is essential for activists, educators, and anyone interested in the oppressive nature of the prison system and its impact on communities and individuals. The United States, with only 5% of the global population, holds nearly 25% of the world's prisoners—over 2 million people—a number that has risen steadily, increasing by 500% over the past 40 years. Journalist Victoria Law explores the roots of mass incarceration, highlighting how racism and social control have fueled this crisis, from post-Civil War laws targeting former slaves to the "War Against Drugs," which disproportionately affects Black individuals. Law organizes her insights into four main sections: the rise and causes of mass incarceration, myths about prison, misconceptions about incarcerated individuals, and strategies for dismantling mass incarceration. Through thorough research and interviews with those behind bars, she identifies 21 key myths that sustain this system, such as the belief that the system is merely broken and needs reform, that incarceration ensures safety, and that prison effectively facilitates drug treatment. This guide is vital for anyone seeking to understand and combat the forces driving mass incarceration.