What evidence does Perkinson provide for his claims that such policies are unjust, and particularly unfair toward African-Americans?

You are to write a 5-8 page, double-spaced paper in 12 pt., Times New Roman font with 1” margins
all around in response to one of the following questions or prompts. Strive to be as clear and
specific as possible, as you are responsible for answering all elements of each question.
1. According to Perkinson, the “Texas tough” style of justice is not only deeply embedded in the
state’s budget, but also in its political, cultural, and social fabric. While many states in the
Northeast constructed prison systems with the goal of repairing and redeeming criminals, Texas
sought to “warehouse, avenge, and permanently differentiate convicted criminals from law-
abiding citizens.” Having been defeated in the Civil War, Texas and its Southern confederates
were desperate to retain as much dominion as possible over their former slaves, and they found a
way through law enforcement. What evidence does Perkinson provide for this thesis? Are you
convinced by his controversial claim that the mass incarceration of African-Americans in Texas
and across the United States constitutes the “the new Jim Crow”? Why or why not? Explain your
answer.
2. A growing number of American prisons are now contracted out as for-profit businesses to for-
profit companies. These companies are paid by the state, and their profit depends on spending as
little as possible on the prisoners and the prisons. How, then, according to Perkinson, do for-profit
prisons contribute to the epidemic of imprisonment we see in Texas? What kinds of problems are
typically associated with for-profit prisons, and why is Perkinson so leery of them? Given these
concerns, do you think that for-profit prisons can promote public safety and save tax dollars while
simultaneously focusing on making a profit? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
3. Among the causes of the incarceration epidemic in the United States are the growth of post-
Rockefeller drug laws, which punish minor drug offenses with major prison time; “zero tolerance”policing; and mandatory sentencing laws. What evidence does Perkinson provide for his claims that such policies are unjust, and particularly unfair toward African-Americans? Do you think the public interest is ultimately served by such policies, or not? Why? Explain your

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