Poverty’s Role in Incarceration The classic novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain explores several themes throughout its story. One of the major topics discussed in the book is the idea of prejudice, bias, and justice. Protagonists Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer display both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum. Huck comes from no money, a poor education, and an alcoholic father. Unlikely, his best friend Tom has everything he does not: money, family, and a secure home. Consequently, these differences make Huck a more likely candidate for challenges in his future. This idea is mirrored in our society, as seen in biases in the criminal justice system. America’s incarceration rate is 4.3 times larger than what it was 50 years …show more content…
Once again, it is shown that eliminating poverty will greatly lessen crime in America. Another major flaw within the justice system is the overcriminalization of drug possession. The mistreatment of addiction in America leads to countless cases of people’s lives being ruined by the disease. Data shows that addiction rates are twice as high among people struggling with poverty and unemployment (Correa). Rather than providing rehabilitation services or financial aid for struggling families, the justice system tends to prosecute first-time offenders instead. It is not uncommon to see more substance abuse in economically challenged areas, as drugs are often used as a coping mechanism for financial stress, which leads to more overwhelming debt (O’Neill Hayes, Barnhorst). Organizations such as the Human Rights Watch interviewed 149 people who were prosecuted for drug-related offenses. One of the interviewed individuals, Nicole, recalled how she was forced to plead guilty to a felony for possessing an empty bag with heroin residue – meaning she would lose her student financial aid, job opportunities, and food stamps that she needed to feed her children