Minnesota residents may be surprised to learn that a recent study showed that at least one immediate family member of 45 percent of adults in the United States have been incarcerated either in jail or in prison. This figure is a lot higher than what was previously estimated. The survey classified immediate family member as either a parent, sibling, spouse, grandparent or child.
This study reveals that family member incarceration is a more common problem than most people, including experts in the field, had believed. Of all the family members locked up, it is more common for a person to have a sibling who is incarcerated or has been incarcerated. The figures were higher for those with little education and for African-Americans. Both groups had figures that were around 60 percent.
A significant percentage of individuals who are in groups that are perceived as being advantaged have had immediate family members who have been incarcerated. According to the reports, 1 in 7 college-educated white individuals have close family members who have been incarcerated. These statistics clearly show that mass incarceration is an American phenomenon that affects every aspect of society that must be tackled by everyone.
Having an immediate family member who is in jail or prison instead of at home can have a disruptive effect on the family. Mass incarceration not only affects the individuals who are locked up, but it also takes a toll on the family members who are left behind.
When a person is accused of a crime, it may be beneficial for him or her to discuss the case with a criminal defense attorney. Lawyers are not just for guilty people, and they aren’t solely for the innocent either. Criminal defense attorneys may be able to help their clients during any stage of the judicial process. This includes the criminal investigations all the way to when the court reinstates a person’s rights after he or she has been released from prison.