Human Rights
Reforming Civil and Criminal Justice Systems
In the Headlines
27 April 2012Mass Incarceration has Dire Social and Economic Impacts
CBS News looks at growing incarceration rates in the United States, where nearly 2.4 million people are behind bars, even though the crime rate has dropped by more than 40 percent over the last 20 years. The CBS report cites data from the Vera Institute of Justice, a grantee; and quotes Bryan Stevenson, director of the Equal Justice Initiative, also a grantee, discussing how race is a factor in mass incarceration. Through our Reforming Civil and Criminal Justice Systems initiative, the foundation supports these and other organizations that are working to ensure that all people have access to fair treatment and equal protection under the law.
Read the complete piece and watch the video »
More Information
- Visit the Equal Justice Initiative online
- Learn more about Ford Foundation Visionary Bryan Stevenson
- Explore our Reforming Civil and Criminal Justice Systems initiative
Media Contacts
Press Line
- Tel
- (+1) 212-573-5128
- Fax
- (+1) 212-351-3643
- pressline@fordfoundation.org
Joshua Cinelli
- Media Relations Chief
- j.cinelli@fordfoundation.org
The cost of a nation of incarceration
April 22, 2012 By Martha Teichner(CBS News) Is it fair to call the United States the “incarceration nation”? That’s what some experts say. And even some veteran law enforcement and correction officials think something's gone wrong. Our Cover Story is reported now by Martha Teichner:
At the Gadsden County Jail near Tallahassee, Fla., there are bunks, and mattresses on the floor.
The jail has a capacity of about 150 inmates, but there are presently 230 inmates in the facility right now.
Walter McNeil, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, sees the same story everywhere he goes in the U.S.