@BorderStories2 “Wealth Disparity and Incarceration” a Twitter thread by Alexis Light #BorderStoriesPitt
For my project, I wanted to delve into the issues that wealth disparity plays in the current Justice System within the US. #BorderStoriesPitt 1/
The US has the highest incarceration rates of any country in the world, surpassing China and Russia. #BorderStoriesPitt 2/
I began to question how that was so. Are American’s committing significantly more crime than countries across the world? #BorderStoriesPitt 3/
I started research looking at US incarceration stats where I found out that 2/3 of inmates incarcerated bc they can’t make bail. #BorderStoriesPitt 4/
I asked why there were so many cases where people could not meet bail. I found essays discussing the unconstitutionality of bail according to the 8th Amendment #BorderStoriesPitt 5/
I found that the average bail starts at $2,500 and can go upwards of $15,00 for nonviolent crime. (This could be considered excessive) #BorderStoriesPitt 6/
While the average inmates annual income is less than $31,000. #BorderStories Pitt 7/
As I continued to research, I found stats that discussed how if you couldn’t make bail that you were 12% more likely to be convicted #BorderStoriesPitt 8/
Regardless of whether you did "it" or not. #BorderStoriesPitt 9/
I couldn’t understand how this was legal, especially with the 8th Amendment of the US Constitution #BorderStoriesPitt 10/
My overarching question for my research is how can we update our justice system so that it doesn’t exploit lower income citizens #BorderStoriesPitt 11/
This is important bc over 54% of American citizens could find themselves in a position where their lack of $ could punish them. #BorderStoriesPitt 12/
I believe that in a country that prides itself on it's 'freedom' we need a modified system that does not take advantage of or profit off of one group of people #BorderStoriesPitt 13/
So throughout my research, I hope to find a suggestion that would mediate the terms of the current justice system and create fairness for all. #BorderStoriesPitt 14/
I invite you to reply with your questions and thoughts. #BorderStoriesPitt
