{"id":2715,"date":"2016-03-24T11:00:40","date_gmt":"2016-03-24T16:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesocietypages.org\/ssn\/?p=2715"},"modified":"2016-03-21T12:39:00","modified_gmt":"2016-03-21T17:39:00","slug":"measuring-the-social-impact-of-mass-imprisonment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesocietypages.org\/ssn\/2016\/03\/24\/measuring-the-social-impact-of-mass-imprisonment\/","title":{"rendered":"Measuring The Social Impact of Mass Imprisonment on America\u2019s Black and White Families and Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>
Photo by Ed Schipul, Flickr CC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A very large number of Americans are held in jails and prisons \u2013 some 762 out of every 100,000 residents. Although the United States has only five percent of the world\u2019s population, it holds one quarter of all the world\u2019s prisoners. However, the social burdens occasioned by so much imprisonment are not borne equally by all segments of the American population. According to recent estimates, one of every 15 black men is held in jail or state or federal prison, compared to one of every 106 white males. This racial disparity has a big impact on the life fortunes of white and black men \u2013 contributing to gaps in many domains, ranging from jobs and family life to health and mortality.<\/p>\n

<\/div>But the social reverberations of mass incarceration do not stop with the prisoners themselves. The consequences can be even greater for children, family members, and associates attached to those who are imprisoned. A burgeoning research literature suggests that having a family member sent to prison damages the mental and physical health of those left at home<\/a>. The imprisonment of a family member means one less person to contribute to household support, increasing stress and making everyone less economically secure.The social reverberations of mass incarceration do not stop with the prisoners themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although researchers have documented these indirect social impacts from imprisonment, they have been unable before now to estimate how many adult women and men are connected to an inmate \u2013 and therefore, have not been able to specify the scope of negative consequences faced by people tied to America\u2019s prisoners. Now, for the first time, data from the 2006 General Social Survey make it possible to estimate the reach and wider social impact of the U.S. prison system. We use this data and build on previous studies to explore the impact of imprisonment on the family members and associates of black and white prisoners.<\/p>\n

\""Sesame<\/a>
“Sesame Street” provides tips for families\u00a0dealing with incarceration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Blacks, Whites, and the Spillover Effects of Imprisonment<\/h3>\n

Utilizing the data from the General Social Survey, we developed national estimates of the number and percentage of black and white men and women who have an acquaintance, a family member, a neighbor, or someone they trust in prison. In addition, we estimate the percentage of each individual\u2019s social network that consists of people in prison. Beyond simply counting contacts, this provides an alternate way to measure the overall impact of imprisonment on people\u2019s social environments.<\/p>\n

Overall, a very substantial number of men and women in the United States know at least one person who is currently incarcerated \u2013 a result that reflects the country\u2019s high rate of incarceration. But our data also reveal the vast racial disparities in the social spillover effects of imprisonment in America. Black American men, we know, bear the brunt of the direct effects of serving time behind bars \u2013 with the effects lasting long after they leave prison and parole. Yet the larger spillover effects are also extraordinarily racially unequal for black and white families and communities.<\/p>\n