This research examines how the criminal justice industrial complex and existing political incentives have shaped American penology, ultimately contributing to the disenfranchisement and unequal representation of marginalized groups. It identifies a significant historical shift in U.S. penal philosophy, moving from rehabilitation to retribution, arguing that this shift coincided with the rise of economic interests in the criminal justice system, facilitating the emergence of the criminal justice industrial complex. The research further examines the effects of this changing environment, arguing that the growing influence of profit-driven entities, including private prison companies, has played a crucial role in radicalizing criminal justice policies, leading to harsher punishments and increased incarceration rates. Additionally, the study critiques the political consequences of these trends, claiming that felony disenfranchisement laws and the practice of prison gerrymandering have significantly diminished political representation for minority communities. Through these interconnected and interdisciplinary analyses, this study seeks to clarify how economic and political dynamics within the criminal justice industrial complex have eroded democratic values and intensified racial disparities in the U.S.
↧