Propel Prison Reform

The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world [1].

Mass incarceration has increased more than 500% over the last 40 years. This increase is most representative of changes in policy and law, rather than changes in crime rates [2].

More than 2 million people are behind bars in the United States. Although the percentage rate of wrongful convictions remains debatable, studies show that at least 20,000 people could be innocent—people punished and convicted for crimes that they did not commit. Wrongful conviction is real [3].

 

Did you know that the United States imprisons more of its citizens that any other country in the world? Yes. And locking up people cost us around $74 billion in 2007, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Yet, the money used to rehabilitate and support formerly incarcerated women and men remains slim. Also, the advancement of prisons-for-profit (a.k.a private prisons) treats human bodies as commodities. Too many of our prisons are built with the intention to pack the prison to the brim in order to make money, rather than to keep society safe from harm. Government contracts with private-prison companies also create a system where some folks are legally punished—not because they are guilty of the crimes that they are convicted of—but because contracts mandate that prisons maintain certain occupancy rates.

I still can't believe the U.S. has the world's highest incarceration rate, with more than 2 million people behind bars. Just as eye-opening, around 5 million children have (or have had) a parent in prison. We can't wait any longer to take committed action.

~ Destiny R. Jackson

Just as important, the increase in prisons-for-profit puts a price on justice. And that should never be the case. Also, trends to bolster harsh sentencing, mandatory sentencing minimums, parole denials, and life sentences pose a threat to justice. It is no secret that our complex struggle with cruel and unusual punishment is far from finished. Destiny believes that the way our society treats those in prison without a voice is a reflection of our humanity. We must improve the conditions of our prisons, the way we treat our incarcerated citizens, and sentencing laws.  

Join Team Destiny Fundraising (TDF): Propel prison reform with Destiny by contributing to our law school legacy. Law school is expensive. But we will not allow money to hinder our progress. Undoubtedly, Destiny's determination to serve vulnerable members of our community remains exemplary. Destiny needs resources and support in order to become a proactive, grassroots lawyer. Join a legacy of supporters who are praying and supporting Destiny along the way. Whether you are contributing yourself or raising funds in a group, it is an honor to partner with Destiny during such a rich time in history. Give now.

Join Team Destiny Awareness (TDA): Your voice matters. Share our prison conversation blog posts with your friends and family regularly. Follow Destiny on social media so that you can be the first to see and share Destiny's prison reform messages. We need everyone to remain aware of how Destiny is making a real difference in the prison reform movement. Encourage others to join our law legacy, too. Begin by sharing this video.

Join Team Destiny Prayer (TDP): Prayer and purpose remains a key cornerstone of our success. We thank each and every one of our prayer partners for their fervent prayer. In recognition, we also must thank our strong prayer community of men and women in prison who pray for Destiny, for Team DestinyJackson.org, and for the advancement of our good works. Post your prayer message.