Mass incarceration could soon be upon us if Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative government, decide to plough ahead with their new crime bill
Canada’s on the cusp of a new epidemic -and it’s probably not the type of epidemic you were thinking of. According to Ernest Drucker, public health expert and professor of epidemiology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the plague of mass incarceration could soon be upon us if Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative government, decide to plough ahead with their new crime bill.
Similar to a viral or bacterial epidemic, mass incarceration will prove to be detrimental to society once it spreads; first, prisoner numbers begin to soar and then there’s an increase in the portion of the population suffering from mental illnesses, poor health and chronic unemployment and homelessness.
Drucker uses the United States as case in point in his book A Plague of Prisons. In 1973, New York passed the Rockefeller laws which required judges to impose sentences of 15 years to life imprisonment for anyone convicted of selling two ounces or possessing four ounces of narcotic drugs. Drucker claims that over the next 25 years, New York’s prison population increased fivefold and of course a whole myriad of problems, like the ones mentioned above, began to unfold.
Nearly four decades later New York has come to realise the error of its ways and has reformed its laws to grant judges greater freedom in sentencing, including the option of sending addicted offenders to treatment, instead of prison. Canada, on the other hand, seems to have taken a step back in time as Stephen Harper has embarked on a new hardline approach to criminals with his new robust crime bill.
We talked to Drucker about the phenomenon of mass incarceration and explore the implications it may have for Canada.
Why do you consider mass incarceration to be a new epidemic?
There are three factors to take into account when determining whether or not it is an epidemic. The first is rapid growth. In thirty-five years the population directly affected by this epidemic (prisoners) increased tenfold, from 250,000 in 1970 to 2.5 million by 2009. The second thing to look at is the the actual scale of the epidemic. It is clear that a significant number of people have been affected by this epidemic; in fact, the effects of the epidemic extend beyond actual cases -over 30 million have been affected in the last thirty years. Thirdly, it is important to find out if the “disease” is contagious. When we analyze the statistics this seems to be the case; the children of families affected by this new epidemic have lower life expectancy and are six to seven times more likely to acquire it themselves than the children of families not affected. Also, individuals who are afflicted are also socially marginalized and often become incapacitated for life, unable to find decent work, get proper housing, participate in the political system, or have a normal family life.
There are three factors to take into account when determining whether or not it is an epidemic. The first is rapid growth. In thirty-five years the population directly affected by this epidemic (prisoners) increased tenfold, from 250,000 in 1970 to 2.5 million by 2009. The second thing to look at is the the actual scale of the epidemic. It is clear that a significant number of people have been affected by this epidemic; in fact, the effects of the epidemic extend beyond actual cases -over 30 million have been affected in the last thirty years. Thirdly, it is important to find out if the “disease” is contagious. When we analyze the statistics this seems to be the case; the children of families affected by this new epidemic have lower life expectancy and are six to seven times more likely to acquire it themselves than the children of families not affected. Also, individuals who are afflicted are also socially marginalized and often become incapacitated for life, unable to find decent work, get proper housing, participate in the political system, or have a normal family life.
When did mass incarceration begin to develop in the U.S and what triggered it?
The outbreak is traceable to the Rockefellar laws of the 1970s in New York State. These laws required judges to impose harsher sentences on criminals and what followed was a significant increase in the proportion of people being incarcerated in the state. This pattern was repeated around the country and as a result, America’s prison population, like New York’s, rose fivefold from 1980 to 2009.
The outbreak is traceable to the Rockefellar laws of the 1970s in New York State. These laws required judges to impose harsher sentences on criminals and what followed was a significant increase in the proportion of people being incarcerated in the state. This pattern was repeated around the country and as a result, America’s prison population, like New York’s, rose fivefold from 1980 to 2009.
How do you think Canada’s prison system compares to the U.S?
Historically, I think Canada had a really good idea of what the prison system was about. People with addiction or psychiatric problems were being treated appropriately in their respective centres, instead of being incarcerated. From my time spent working in British Columbia a few years ago, I know that there was some great work going on. However, in more recent years, it seems to have become a political football. I find Harper’s attitude to be very peculiar and I can’t understand why he has decided to embark on this “tough on crime”approach when he knows the implications it has had for the U.S. New York has rolled back its mandatory sentencing, so it’s perplexing to me why he is going down this road. Maybe, he wants to try and distinguish himself as a hard man, I’m not too sure.
Historically, I think Canada had a really good idea of what the prison system was about. People with addiction or psychiatric problems were being treated appropriately in their respective centres, instead of being incarcerated. From my time spent working in British Columbia a few years ago, I know that there was some great work going on. However, in more recent years, it seems to have become a political football. I find Harper’s attitude to be very peculiar and I can’t understand why he has decided to embark on this “tough on crime”approach when he knows the implications it has had for the U.S. New York has rolled back its mandatory sentencing, so it’s perplexing to me why he is going down this road. Maybe, he wants to try and distinguish himself as a hard man, I’m not too sure.
What lessons can Canada learn from the U.S experience?
Once this epidemic is ignited it can become very dangerous, so I think it’s vital to monitor how the policies are working from a public health perspective. It’s better to get in there, sooner rather than later.
Once this epidemic is ignited it can become very dangerous, so I think it’s vital to monitor how the policies are working from a public health perspective. It’s better to get in there, sooner rather than later.
What kind of alternative solutions are there to incarceration?
I think community correction centres, where people can get help and counselling are the best solution. Obviously, there are certain criminals, like serial killers and sex offenders that you have to lock up, but for a person who gets caught smoking a joint or something along those lines , then I think this is definitely the fairest and most effective remedy.
I think community correction centres, where people can get help and counselling are the best solution. Obviously, there are certain criminals, like serial killers and sex offenders that you have to lock up, but for a person who gets caught smoking a joint or something along those lines , then I think this is definitely the fairest and most effective remedy.
“A Plague of Prisons: Lessons for Canada from the US Experience” by Professor Ernie Drucker will take place today from 12am-2pm at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal studies.
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Source: Toronto Standard
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