Week 34: Prison Systems

"So think carefully when you speak it, because truth is a weapon."

Prisons have been a part of human history since near the beginning, but the current system of prisons, especially in the USA, is a much more complex and unique system that what is seen across the world, and compared to the rest of history. In this week's Tuesday Fix, we will explore the financial side of prisons, as well as the history of them, and the impact they have had on those who are imprisoned, and the communities of those imprisoned.

1. Why Do We Have Private Prisons?: "The US imprisons more people than any other country in the world. Today, Danielle explores why so many Americans are incarcerated and why we've turned to private prisons to hold that population."

Watch Why Do We Have Private Prisons? by Origin Of Everything

2. Gangsters in Paradise: "VICE embeds with four Tongan nationals who have been sent back to the tiny island nation where they were born after serving prison time in New Zealand and the United States. Former gang members, they often struggle to reconnect with the culture, the language, and the people."

Watch Gangsters in Paradise - The Deportees of Tonga by Vice

3. Why the Prison Industrial Complex is so Profitable: "Around the world, there are over 10,000,000 people held in prison. With the leader in the Prison Industrial Complex being none other than the United States. Yes, the land of the free, home of the brave has not only the highest number of prisoners, but also the most prisoners per capita. But what’s the point of having all these people held in captivity that you have to feed, manage, and somewhat provide for? Simple - almost all the parties involved make money. This is the prison industrial complex."

Watch Why the Prison Industrial Complex is so Profitable by Jake Tran

Call to Action! If you have been lucky enough to not have been imprisoned, or have those who are close to you not been imprisoned, I encourage you to get to know and hear the stories of those who have spent time in there for yourself, rather than what the media and cinema tell.

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