Final answer:
The disproportionate number of Black and Latinx Americans in prison can be attributed to racial inequities, poverty and social issues, and disparities in the criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disproportionate number of Black and Latinx Americans in prison can be attributed to several factors:
- Racial inequities: African Americans are seven times more likely to be in prison compared to their white counterparts. Hispanic and other non-white individuals are also more likely to be imprisoned than white individuals.
- Poverty and social issues: Race and poverty play significant roles in the growth of the prison population. Incarceration is often seen as a quick solution to underlying social problems like poverty and drug addiction, resulting in a cycle of poverty and incarceration.
- Disparities in the criminal justice system: There are disparities in how individuals are treated within the criminal justice system, such as racial profiling by police officers and bias in sentencing. These disparities contribute to the overrepresentation of Black and Latinx Americans in the prison system.