The Time is Ripe to Include Considerations of the Effects on Families and Communities of Excessively Long Sentences

44 Pages Posted: 15 Feb 2015

See all articles by Jalila Jefferson-Bullock

Jalila Jefferson-Bullock

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

It is well established that the United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other country in the world. The fundamental cause of this incarceration mania is that the United States unjustifiably doles out scores of excessively lengthy prison terms. Comparatively, United States citizenry are not convicted of worse crimes, and thereby well-deserving of more protracted sentences than those living in other countries. Rather, our federal criminal justice system has historically manifested the belief, more than do our neighbors around the globe, that longer terms of incarceration will benefit society by reducing crime and effectively sanctioning immoral behaviors. The time is ripe for reconsideration of this ill-advised creed.

Keywords: prison, incarceration, criminal justice system

Suggested Citation

Jefferson-Bullock, Jalila, The Time is Ripe to Include Considerations of the Effects on Families and Communities of Excessively Long Sentences (2014). University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Review, Vol. 83, No. 1, p. 73, 2014, Arizona Summit Law School Research Paper , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2564676

Jalila Jefferson-Bullock (Contact Author)

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University ( email )

600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
United States
412.396.6287 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://law.duq.edu/faculty/jalila-jefferson-bullock

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