A three-part series appearing in the Wisconsin State Journal highlights what many know all too well - racial disparities exist at an alarming rate, even in Dane County. In fact, Dane County is near the top of the list of counties nationwide in terms of incarceration rates for black vs. white men for drug offenses: an incredible ratio of 97:1, according to data from a 2005 SAMSA report. Furthermore, up to 47% of Dane County men ages 25-29 who are black are either incarcerated or are under some form of supervision, vs. 3.2% for white residents of the same age range. Dane County men who are black have a 50% chance of being incarcerated in their lifetime. The causes for these high rates of incarceration are complex. While sentencing rates appear to be similar for blacks and whites, it is more likely that black men will face conviction - while whites are more likely to enter diversion programs than face jail time. The articles are really worth reading - rather than just me summarizing them here. The solution to the problem is at least as complicated as the causes - I hope that more can be done to provide some positive change in our communities. With disparities and incarceration rates like what we are seeing I would like to think things can get better, not worse.
Source: Part 1 - http://host.madison.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_c574b808-b5f9-11e0-baad-001cc4c002e0.html Part 2 - http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_fea23fac-b625-11e0-b588-001cc4c002e0.html Part 3 - to be published tomorrow
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