Denzel Washington says don't blame the prison system

[Common]

Washingtons words will be dismissed

The Oscar winner says making the film did not make him more cynical about the justice system and, when asked about the prison-industrial complex, the “Malcolm X” star offered a surprising take.

“It starts at the home,” he told reporters at the film’s downtown New York premiere. “It starts at home.”

When prodded to expand on his answer, the 62-year-old Mount Vernon native replied: “It starts with how you raise your children. If a young man doesn’t have a father figure, he’ll go find a father figure.


“So you know I can’t blame the system,” he continued. “It’s unfortunate that we make such easy work for them.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.3653432

[Ethereal]

The "home" does not exist in a vacuum though. It exists within a larger social context and part of that context is the criminal justice system, which includes prisons. Indeed, a big reason why many black families are without a father figure is because so many black men have been thrown into jail or prison for nonviolent drug offenses.

[Common]

I dont think thats the case, it may have an impact but its not the major factor. Some facts in 2014 there were 795 incarcerated individuals per 100,000 that includes all races. White Black Hispanic Asian etc.

In 2008 the last data was compiled there wee 1.5 million individuals incarcerated for Non Violent crimes of all sorts not just drugs. That includes Whites Blacks Hispanics etc.

Theres far more fatherless families than incarceration numbers. I think it has impact but not a major impact.

There are more than one factor for sure but family structure and culture certainly play a role. There are more and more prominent blacks biting the Uncle Tom Bullet and coming out and discussing it.

[barb012]

I won't blame the prison system when the federal government stops paying states for every person they incarcerate.

[Grokmaster]

No father in the home is the single most common, unifying factor of ALL prison inmates. Washington is absolutely correct.

[Captdon]

The "home" does not exist in a vacuum though. It exists within a larger social context and part of that context is the criminal justice system, which includes prisons. Indeed, a big reason why many black families are without a father figure is because so many black men have been thrown into jail or prison for nonviolent drug offenses.

No, I don't think so. Black men avoid their children whether they are in prison or not. Many women don't know who the father is. Prison is one reason bit prison isn't forever, is it?

[resister]

No, I don't think so. Black men avoid their children whether they are in prison or not. Many women don't know who the father is. Prison is one reason bit prison isn't forever, is it?

For some, years ago when I did time, I was in several main institutions in fl (roughly 800-1,000 inmates) I bet an average of 30% were doing life.

[Common Sense]

Washington is right that broken homes and a lack of proper parenting is a huge factor in the racial disparity seen in prisons. But like any issue, it's not as simple as that.

It has been proven that black people recive harsher sentences for crimes than whites on average. They are also policed more and stopped more. While home situations that Washington is talking about are a primary factor, the judicial system helps create a vicious cycle.

Essentially you have a choice to make. The phenomenon of blacks being incarcerated at a higher rate is due to contributing factors like cycles of poverty, gangs, racism, a glorification of violence, a lack of leadership, broken homes and an unfair criminal justice system...or you can claim that blacks are predisposed to criminality. To recognize that it's a complex situation with many contributing factors is reasonable. But I can't help to hear the subtitle hints that some believe the latter.

[Mister D]

Washington is right that broken homes and a lack of proper parenting is a huge factor in the racial disparity seen in prisons. But like any issue, it's not as simple as that.

It has been proven that black people recive harsher sentences for crimes than whites on average. They are also policed more and stopped more. While home situations that Washington is talking about are a primary factor, the judicial system helps create a vicious cycle.

Essentially you have a choice to make. The phenomenon of blacks being incarcerated at a higher rate is due to contributing factors like cycles of poverty, gangs, racism, a glorification of violence, a lack of leadership, broken homes and an unfair criminal justice system...or you can claim that blacks are predisposed to criminality. To recognize that it's a complex situation with many contributing factors is reasonable. But I can't help to hear the subtitle hints that some believe the latter.

The system reacts to violence, Sense. Most of it occurs in non-white neighborhoods. I'm not sure why you guys have so much trouble wrapping your minds around that. The suburban coke dealer receives a lighter sentence because his crime can be meaningfully described as a non-violent offense. That is, no one is getting "smoked" in his neighborhood over turf or "respect". The drug trade is rightfully associated with a great deal of violence in black communities. Do you really think judges are just racists? Seriously?

[Mister D]

Furthermore, it amazes me how people who insist racism is a major factor in incarceration rates turn around and accuse others of not recognizing the complexity of the situation. What nerve.