How a Culture of Individualism Hinders Prison Abolition

In Spring 2023, students in WWU’s ENVS 499D: Readings in Environmental Justice are learning about the intersections between environmental justice and incarceration. This post reflects some of the group’s learning and discussion

By Emma S., Laila E., & Noah O

A reading by the Marshall Project outlines The Case for Abolition as a “practical program of change rooted in how people sustain and improve their lives”. It summarizes the philosophical mentality surrounding abolition as one rooted in the desire for a better way where the inequalities surrounding mass incarceration are torn down. The Nation discusses the three pillars of abolition: First, moratorium, or simply “stop building cages”. Second, de-carceration, which involves finding ways to get out of prison. Lastly, the third pillar is ex-carceration, finding ways to divert people away from prison in the first place. This third pillar is the most complicated. How do we divert people away from prison? The answer is social welfare programs. The Marshall Project highlights how “a world without prisons and jails is to a imagine a world in which social welfare is a right, not a luxury”. In order to continue the fight for abolition we must first ensure that there is a solid safety net for people to fall back on in our society.

In the United States, a number of social safety net systems help to aid the impoverished and disenfranchised from falling into increasing poverty. The Center for American Progress published a report on the safety nets of the US. These systems vary between states. Implementation of public support ultimately falls upon state and county governments meaning that the resources made available to low income areas is extremely inconsistent . In fact, areas with higher concentrations of minoritized populations see less resources contributed to low income communities. Over the last few years benefits have gone down in many parts of the country, coinciding with inflation and the recent pandemic the US has become increasingly hostile to lower income members of society. The US needs a more standardized and equal approach to it’s handling of safety net and benefit programs as it is essential for increasing quality of life and making prison abolition viable.

One thing hindering these safety nets is American individualism. American individualism is the idea that in America the focus point of anyone should be themselves, and that one’s self is responsible for all actions taken. This is the basis of many American narratives told, some examples being the ‘rags-to-riches’ storyline or the ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ motto. Behind the sayings and stories that throughout history have been told in order to perpetuate the stereotypical American dream, is the overall theme of pride. Americans have been taught to have pride in themselves and their work all while doing it on their own. This portrayal of Americans becomes harmful when looking at prisons and the criminal justice system within the country. Being taught to figure out things for yourself and that requesting help is considered a weakness, creates a barrier for incarcerated people. The help, services, and human rights they deserve vanish when entering prison or jail due to the American ideal of being a victim to your own hand. The aid needed for incarcerated people disappears due to the ‘you put yourself here’ narrative.

The Case For Abolition, published by the Marshall Project states that “Locking people up does not provide adequate housing, proper mental health treatment or living wage jobs, nor does it make us safe in any other way.” It also states that abolition is a long game, so the actions that can be taken consist of things like reframing the public eye, working with local communities, and spreading the word. Reframing the public eye and spreading the word go hand in hand, broadcasting the unfit conditions of jails and prisons is key to shifting the public’s stance on incarceration. This will help break the stigma of incarcerated people ‘getting what they deserve’ by exposing the lack of basic human rights within the system. Working with local communities can help combat the expansion of prisons, develop alternatives to the current imprisonment complex, and create new ways of successfully rehabilitating released inmates.