Why Are So Many Americans Behind Bars?

Historical Roots of Mass Incarceration

The origins of mass incarceration trace back much further than the 1970s, with its roots embedded in the history of racial slavery and colonial expansion. Policymakers have utilized slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment throughout American history, creating a system designed to control populations domestically and in territories subjected to U.S. jurisdiction. Notably, practices like the convict clause, which allows for penal servitude, have persisted in federal and state law since before the Constitution was ratified, highlighting a continuous link between punishment and control. This historical perspective reveals how the mechanisms of oppression and social control were exported and adapted across various territories, illustrating the extensive impact of imperial policies on the American prison system.