Final answer:
Mass imprisonment, as defined by sociologist David Garland, refers to the significant growth and expansion of the prison population driven by social and political factors. It is not solely the result of better law enforcement but is influenced by race, poverty, and the perception of incarceration as a solution to social problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mass imprisonment, as defined by sociologist David Garland, refers to the significant growth and expansion of the prison population over the past few decades. According to Garland, mass imprisonment is not solely the result of better law enforcement but is also influenced by social factors such as race, poverty, and the perception of incarceration as a solution to social problems like poverty and drug addiction.
This growth in the prison system is seen as a reflection of a society that favors incarceration as a quick fix, similar to the military-industrial complex. Davis and other activists argue that the lobbying power of corporations and contractors in the prison industry contribute to the increase in the prison population.
Overall, mass imprisonment refers to the large-scale imprisonment of individuals, driven by social and political factors, rather than solely the result of an increase in criminal activity.