Topic: Why poor people are incarcerated more than upper and middle-class people.

Thesis:

Inequality in incarceration has recently assumed focal discourse in the penal arena. It has
pervaded most penal incarceration (Bruce & Becky, 2010) and largely places the marginalized
groups at the centre of adversities. With specific reference to class inequality, the poor people
are strikingly overrepresented in the prison population than any other social class. They are
more likely to face incarceration and at rates greater than the rich people. The clause “The rich
get richer and the poor get prison” beautifully summarizes the wide inequality that exists
between the poor and the rich. The major reasons for this inequality are outlined as follows:

I. Low educational and skills level counts as a major reason why poor individuals are more
likely to be incarcerated than individuals in the upper and middle-class. According to
Caroline (2003) and Bruce (2006), class inequalities in incarceration are reflected in the
exceptionally low educational level of people in prisons. While a typical non-incarcerated
person has, at the minimum, a high school diploma, a typical incarcerated person does
not (Becky, 2012). Prior to their incarceration, majority of the people had been shut out
from the economy and had no access to quality education (Bernadette & Daniel, 2015).
As the prison population grows, legitimate labor market opportunities have worsened
and prisoners are largely drawn from the least educated. (Caroline, 2003; Bruce, 2006).
II. Unlike the upper and middle-class people, lack of access to good jobs and employment
opportunities also explains the reason for the overrepresentation of the poor people in
prisons. A research in Baltimore community (see Justice Policy Institute and Prison
Policy Initiative) confirms the assertion that most incarcerated people are not employed.
In one study, Richard (2020) revealed that only one third of prisoners reported being in
paid employment prior to incarceration.
III. A partial justice system can also be contended as a central factor for class inequality in
incarceration and the overrepresentation of poor people in prisons. As Richard (2020)
puts it, “the justice system tends towards conserving and reproducing our current social
antagonisms and injustices, including poor people in their place”. Argued under Karl
Marx Conflict theory, a capitalist society should be blamed for nurturing unhealthy
inequalities using unhealthy laws and for criminalizing poverty under the justice system.

In a nutshell, the poor people face a greater predisposition to incarceration than the upper and
middle class people as a result of poor education, unemployment and a failed justice system. In
theory, equality before the law may be read in letters. However, the law practically reflects and
reproduces the inequalities in wealth and power (Richard, 2020). Social inequality cannot totally
be written off, it is suggested that wealth and power be used in ways that reduce poverty and
weakness. Aside from class inequality, there is also a major discourse on racial inequality in
incarceration. Other research can focus on racial inequality in incarceration (discussing reasons
why the White British are less likely to be incarcerated compared to the vast minorities) as well
as investigate the connection between racial and class inequality in incarceration.

References
Bruce, W. and Becky, P. (2010) Incarceration and social inequality, American Academy of Arts
and Sciences
Bruce, W. (2006) Punishment and inequality in America, New York: Russell Sage Foundation
Caroline, W. H. (2003) Education and correctional populations, Washington, D.C.: Bureau of
Justice Statistics.
Becky, P. (2012) Invisible men: Mass incarceration and the myth of black progress, New York:
Russell Sage Foundation
Bernadette, R. and Daniel, K. (2015). Prisons of Poverty: Uncovering the Pre-incarceration
incomes of the imprisoned. Prison Policy Initiative.
Justice Policy Institute and Prison Policy Initiative (2015), ‘Sandtown-Winchester/Harlem Park,’
The Right Investment? Corrections Spending on Baltimore City.
Richard, G. (2020) ‘Living in poverty is punishment itself’. Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.