The Impact of Mass Incarceration on Poverty

One of the most pressing social problems of the last thirty years is the persistence of poverty in the face of overall economic growth. Researchers have examined a variety of possible causes including de-industrialization, lower minimum wages, de-unionization and technological change. Much remains unexplained. This talk will discuss research on the potential influence of the dramatic rise in incarceration rates of the last three decades. It explains possible ways that mass incarceration can contribute to poverty and describes empirical work suggesting that the actual effects have been substantial.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Incarceration
• poverty
• de-industrialization
• de-unionization
• unions
• prison
• prisons
• economics
• welfare
• sociology
• criminology