exercise 2 exercise #2 problem definition paper:

8/14/2019 Exercise 2 Exercise #2 Problem Definition Paper:

1/9

Exercise 2 1

Exercise #2 Problem Definition Paper: Secondary Data Table

Assignment #2

Exercise #2 Problem Definition Paper: Secondary Data Table

Clinton Ferguson

Social Work 0300-01

Tuskegee University

January 29, 2010


2/9

Exercise 2 2

In analyzing these data graphs I have been able to make conclusions on my topic of prisoners

under jurisdiction of federal and state correctional authorities. My findings include correlations

between poverty levels and incarceration rates, as well as educational attainment and

incarceration rates. African Americans have the highest incarceration rate than any other race in

America. I also found that the amount of people incarcerated varies greatly by state. African

Americans comprise roughly one sixth of the population and represent nearly 38 percent of the

total prison population in America. The data here indicates that these extremely high prison rates

are only going to rise unless some real social change happens. The emotional psychological and

social problems that these incarceration rates have on the African American community is

devastating.


3/9

Exercise 2 3

1. Problem Identification. The topic I selected is Prisoners under jurisdiction of Federal orState correctional authorities- summary by state: 1990 to 2007. I will be investigating the

reasons behind these increasing incarceration rates on the State and Federal level

2. Problem Description. The problem I see is the high numbers of incarceration rates inboth State and Federal correctional facilities. Why are the numbers of inmates per State

so varied, and what affects this. These alarming figures effect the propagation of African

Americans in many ways. The over representation of African Americans in the state and

federal correctional system is an issue I will explore. I think to alleviate some of the

problems in our system of justice we need to look at some of the motivating factors

behind our high incarceration rates. Given these rates among African Americans how

does this affect our culture and society as a whole?

3. Findings.a. Magnitude: I chose table 2 which gives us the residential population by state. The

problem of high incarceration rates we are facing affects 305 million Americans. In

comparison with data table 1 we see that even though African Americans make up

1/6th

of the total population they also represent nearly 37 percent of inmates

incarcerated in Federal or State institutions. The effect that this has on the Black

community is tremendous though there are no figures to point at the hardships created

by a family member going to prison it is safe to assume the incarceration rates are just

the tip of the ice berg. In terms of cost that affects the problem we are researching the

tax payers are the people that finance these State and Federal correctional institutions.

b. Scope: For the scope of our problem I referred to data table 3 which gives us thepoverty rates by state. In comparison the states with higher poverty levels also haveincreased incarceration levels. One in every three Black males is subject to some form

of the criminal justice system whether it be probation, parole, or incarceration.

Poverty stretches all across America and has been increasing since 2000. Close to 10

percent of Americans are below the poverty line and as noted previously this is linked

to incarceration rates. Furthermore I would like to point out the significant factors

associated with extremely high levels of American incarceration rates such as

poverty.

c. Changes: For changes I referred to data table 1 which shows the actual incarcerationrates for state and federal correctional authorities. Included in table 1 is the data from

1990, 2005, and 2007. In this table we see an increase over the years of incarcerationrates this magnifies the problem and exposes the laws that are in place to help decline

these rates. Certain states have significantly higher rates of incarceration than others.

Poverty and educational attainment are significant factors that influence state and

federal incarceration levels. With educational attainment levels dropping and poverty

rising I predict that incarceration levels of Americans and specifically African


4/9

Exercise 2 4

Americans will increase due to the direct linkage of these factors in both the state and

federal levels

d. Disparities: The disparities in the racial make up of incarcerated individuals and inthe American population are huge. Black males are over represented in prisons across

America. Upon further investigation I referred to table 4 which gives us the

educational attainment levels by state, and the degree of education attained. States

with low educational attainment levels have higher incarceration rates. This further

illustrates the over representation of African Americans in prison. When comparing

the amount of African Americans with the amount of them in prison we are shocked

to see such high incarceration rates no other race comes close percentage wise. This is

a serious issue and I think a change needs to be made to our justice system.

4. Data Table 1


5/9

Exercise 2 5

Data Table 2


6/9

Exercise 2 6

Data Table 3


7/9

Exercise 2 7

Data Table 4


8/9

Exercise 2 8

References

U.S. Census Bureau. Prisoners under jurisdiction of federal or state correctional authorities,

(Table) 1. Summary by state: 1990 to 2007 Retrieved January 27,2010.(http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0335.pdf).

U.S. Census Bureau. Annual State Resident Population Estimates for 6 Race Groups (5 RaceAlone Groups and One Group with Two or more Race Groups) by Age, Sex, and Hispanic

Origin: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008 retrieved January 27, 2010

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0010.pdf

U.S. Census Bureau. Individuals and Families Below Poverty Level Number and Rate byState: 2000 and 2007 Retrieved January 27, 2010

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0699.pdf

U.S. Census Bureau. Educational Attainment by State: 1990 to 2007

Retrieved January 27, 2010http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0228.pdf
http://%28http/www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0335.pdf).http://%28http/www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0335.pdf).http://%28http/www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0335.pdf).http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0010.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0010.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0699.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0699.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0228.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0228.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0228.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0699.pdfhttp://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0010.pdfhttp://%28http/www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0335.pdf).


9/9

Exercise 2 9

exercise 2 exercise #2 problem definition paper:

Documents