Prejudice against African Americans manifests itself in many ways in America’s judicial system. African Americans are often given longer sentences and are more likely to receive the death penalty than white Americans who have committed similar crimes. African Americans are often excluded from juries through the use of peremptory challenges. African Americans are more likely to encouraged to enter into plea bargains, resulting in longer sentences and fewer opportunities for appeal. African Americans are often offered plea deals that are less favorable than those offered to white defendants.

African Americans are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, with rates of incarceration far higher than any other racial group.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, African Americans are incarcerated at a rate of 5.7 times the rate of white Americans, approximately 1,304 per 100,000, compared to approximately 223 per 100,000 for white adults.

The harsh reality is that not only do Black prisoners go through this nightmare, their family and community are affected as well.  Unjust levels of incarceration can separate parents from their children, resulting in emotional trauma, reduced economic stability, and a higher risk of involvement in the criminal justice system for children. Mass incarceration can make it difficult for individuals to secure employment after they are released, leading to higher rates of unemployment and poverty in African American communities. Furthermore, unfairly high rates of incarceration of African-Americans can lead cycle of reoffending, as individuals who have been incarcerated are more likely to return to criminal behavior, perpetuating negative impacts on African American communities.