What role does society play in incarceration rate?

(Editor’s note: The following article is part of a series authored by Lynn Stewart, a criminal justice counselor. Her series will explore the not so unique life and experiences of "Greg," a married Black man who is currently imprisoned.

Sadly, Greg’s circumstances are not unique, but his story gives life and personality to a growing segment of our community, the endangered Black man. Ms. Stewart’s article is a fitting inclusion for our yearlong focus: "For the Sake of Aaron.")

by Lynn Stewart
Let us reflect on the issue that face today’s Black man, who is better known on a personal level as: my man, my husband, your brother, your father, or your son.

Sadly, many also know him as "inmate," or as a criminal justice statistic.

I don’t fully understand how the federal government computes its data, but according to national statistics Black men represent a majority of today’s prison population, even though African Americans comprise only 15% of the United States population.

After working for the Georgia Department of Corrections as a counselor from 1984-2003, I found that this multibillion dollar business was, and still is, generated by the incarceration of Black males from the Bible Belt states of the south, to the Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, which has the highest Black male population in the country, even though Black Americans represent only 5% of the state population.

Historically, the Black male in America has not been portrayed as the strong person he is, or is capable of being, by the criminal justice system. Part of the reason for that failing may be attributed to a lack of understanding of the role society, as a whole, and its sub systems, play in portraying him.

Society, the media and the criminal justice system continues to misrepresent the true reason Black men hold such dominance in the prison system.

In order to know the truth, one must listen to the factors from the incarcerated Black man’s perspective.

My first interview with an incarcerated brother--whom I’ll call Greg--clearly defines the socioeconomic factors that led to his imprisonment.

According to Greg, he could not continue to support his wife and three children on a salary of $5.15 an hour. Greg has a high school diploma and prior to his incarceration worked steadily on one job for three years--albeit without health insurance.

This article is not written to judge and/or justify Greg’s actions. However, I would like to leave you pondering the following fact:

The minimum wage has not been increased in 10 years, as business owners have claimed it will have a negative effect on their businesses, and consumers. Ironically, U.S. Congressmen have given themselves raises during that period, which poses the question: "What about Greg?"