The History of Incarceration of African Americans/Blacks in the United States

Abstract

The control, regulation, and policing of African American/Black people is a persistent feature of the history of White supremacist legislation, policies, and practices leading the construction of the era of mass incarceration. The mass incarceration of African American/Black families living in poverty in the United States has had a devastating impact on the lives of families and communities. The goal of this chapter is to examine the historical and contemporary legislative and policing practices resulting in the mass incarceration of African American/Black families. The authors also identify trends in incarceration rates to demonstrate the staggering reality that a significant portion of the African American/Black population in the United States lives locked up behind bars in federal and state prisons, or community supervisory conditions including probation and parole. The authors conclude by offering recommendations to minimize the incarceration of African Americans/Blacks and resources for clinicians to better support the community.