Incarcerating US 2016
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Vincent Vittorio
Directed by Regan Hines
DVD, color, 84 min.
College - General Adult
Corrections, Criminal Justice, Government, Law, Law Enforcement, Political Science, Prison Reform, Prisons, Sociology
Date Entered: 01/13/2017
Reviewed by Douglas Reed, Department of Political Science, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARAs Incarcerating US attests, the casualties of America’s “war on drugs” are far-reaching and, in some cases, beyond belief.
Starting with the origins of America’s correctional facilities, Incarcerating US presents a compelling history lesson on how U.S. prisons have evolved and burgeoned, particularly since the 1970s. The film carefully analyzes how mandatory minimum sentences, conspiracy laws, and prosecutorial discretion have contributed significantly to mass incarceration and unintended consequences. On its face, mandatory minimums appear to make sense – uniform sentences across federal jurisdictions. In reality, they hinder judges and juries from considering individual differences and unique circumstances. As for the role of conspiracy laws, the film aptly notes they were designed to bring drug kingpins and their closest associates to justice but are often misapplied to nab those with only tangential links to perpetrators. Finally, the film critiques the latitude prosecutors have in shaping prison sentences simply by the charges they may file and by the tactics they may use to encourage testimonies and guilty pleas.
Drawing from a wide range of perspectives – attorneys who drafted federal crime policy, reform advocates, judges, and former prisoners – Incarcerating US effectively unravels the complexities and inequalities of America’s criminal justice system.
Highly recommended for academic and public libraries, Incarcerating US is a valuable resource for courses in criminal justice, law, political science, and sociology.