"The Prison-Industrial Complex"

In this 1996 video, death-row prisoner/social activist Mumia Abu-Jamal discusses the meaning of the term "prison-industrial complex" (what Eric Schlosser defined as "a set of bureaucratic, political, and economic interests that encourage increased spending on imprisonment, regardless of the actual need") (The Atlantic Magazine, December 1998). "Prison-industrial complex" echoes the syntax of President Eisenhower's famous expression: "military-industrial complex," and therefore suggests an analogy between the two.

Jamal (beginning at 1:37 in the video): "You have, across the United States, for the first time in modern history, you have small, rural counties and districts begging the government: "Build a prison here, please." It was a time when it was, "Uh-uh. Not in my backyard. You better not." But now they're talkin' 'bout, "Uh-huh. Jobs!" (Jamal rubs his hands together to suggest unthinking self-interest. One of the interviewers chuckles, and Jamal shoots him a hard look.)

A recent development in Kenosha County supports what Jamal is saying by showing how prison expansion can be motivated (at least in part) by economic and political interests. In a December 22, 2010 article in The Kenosha News, Joe Potente writes:

More federal immigration detainees could be on their way to Kenosha County, though local officials say plenty of specifics still need to be worked out.

Sheriff David Beth, County Executive Jim Kreuser and others met with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Washington last week, making a pitch for the county as ICE seeks to narrow the list of providers it uses in the Midwest.

Among the possible options, Beth said, are expanding the county Detention Center, 4777 88th Ave., and growing the county’s ICE detainee role by 500 beds.

“What this would do is it would help create new jobs; it would generate revenue,” Beth said Wednesday.

The article focuses on potential economic benefits to Kenosha County, and the political and bureaucratic issues involved in securing a contract. What is missing is any consideration of the larger social context, or the humanity of these "illegal immigrants." To what extent does an over-reliance on incarceration divert us from understanding and addressing the complexity of this, and other social problems?