Julia Olson answers “Why does your summary of "Locked In" say...”

Phyllis M. asked this question about Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration and How to Achieve Real Reform:

Why does your summary of "Locked In" say that Michele Alexander's thesis of her book is false? Pfaff's article in "The University of Chicago Magazine does not mention "The New Jim Crow." I have not read "Locked In" yet, but I will. I have read "New JC," several times. The historical Context justifies her conclusions, even though black violent crime is high. Feeling hopelessly opposed often leads to being "fed up."

Julia Olson After reading Locked In, I think the author is taking issue with Michelle Alexander's conclusion that the war on drugs created mass incarceration, or …moreAfter reading Locked In, I think the author is taking issue with Michelle Alexander's conclusion that the war on drugs created mass incarceration, or that it was the primary contributor to mass incarceration. Pfaff does not contest the idea of a War on Drugs that locked up a large number of people for low level crimes, and that this war primarily targeted people of color. Rather, he contends that the amount of people locked up for drug crimes, and especially low-level drug crimes is fairly small, and that it is not the primary driver of mass incarceration. His book relies on a vast amount of data to show that prosecutorial discretion (often in "violent" crime cases) may have more to do with the explosion in incarceration rates than the war on drugs. Hope that helps - just my reading of the book.(less)

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