Introduction
The critical situation concerning high incarceration rates in the United States of America evokes concerns of policymakers, who attempt to address this problem. Their recent efforts have led to the discussion of a so-called criminal justice reform, which is a multi-faceted initiative intended to combat the challenge (Head, 2020). Its provisions are linked to the main reasons for the emergence of this challenge, while they are not sufficient for mitigating specific risks. Thus, for example, Black Lives Matter, as one of the principal societal movements of present-day citizens, required particular consideration since the violence stemming from the fight for people’s rights cannot be overcome with imprisonments (Peterson, 2016). Therefore, the suggested transformation of this area should be performed with regard to the specific needs of the affected persons in order to ensure collective well-being.
Discussion: Black Lives Matter
The evidence provided by researchers shows that current methods of dealing with crimes are not effective for reducing incarceration rates which present a financial burden for the country. For instance, the claim of Steinberg (2018) regarding the lack of equality in people’s capability for paying bail confirms the impossibility of improving the situation by the old means. This statement is complemented by the idea of harm caused to everyone due to the movements, such as Black Lives Matter, expressed by Wortham (2020), attributing anxiety and high stress levels to all population groups. These factors justify the feasibility of the mentioned criminal justice report since the benefits and drawbacks of all societal processes are shared by everyone without exception, whereas individual circumstances differ (Grant, 2020). From this perspective, the introduction of this measure positively correlates with the actual needs of people in terms of their well-being contrasted by the existing disparities preventing from achieving it. In this case, the examined movement is an excellent example of events that make the introduction of new practices in the field necessary for improving the living standards of all citizens.
Recommendations
In order to combat the discussed collective threat stemming from the rising incarceration rates in the United States due to the ongoing protests as per the described movement, the introduction of two measures is required. First, it is critical to make further decisions with respect to public safety rather than investigating individual offenses. This suggestion corresponds to the idea of reallocating resources, which is feasible for emphasizing potentially violent crimes instead of less critical events (Head, 2020). Second, it is important to develop rehabilitation programs based on instilling a sense of worthiness to ensure the subsequent participation of individuals in societal life (Peterson, 2016). These measures might positively affect the reform and the outcomes of its implementation by addressing the most crucial flaws of the existing system preventing the establishment of equality and collective well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the issue of race in committing crimes is a factor that should be taken into account when elaborating the criminal justice reform. When applied to societal movements, such as Black Lives Matter, it becomes an obstacle to individuals for fair treatment by the authorities. It also serves as the reason why the affected persons are not confident in their ability to bring benefits to the community. Hence, the problem can be addressed through the emphasis on serious offenses disrupting public safety and the empowerment of citizens through appropriate rehabilitation programs. As a result, the challenge of high incarceration rates can be efficiently resolved while maintaining the balance between everyone’s needs.
References
Grant, J. (2020). Black lives matter. Teaching Kids News.
Head, T. (2020). What should criminal justice reform look like in 2020? The Hill.
Peterson, M. (2016). Am I not human? A call for criminal justice reform [Video]. TED.
Steinberg, R. (2018). What if we ended the injustice of bail? [Video]. TED.
Wortham, J. (2020). Why Black Lives Matter has new momentum. The New York Times.