Final answer:
The phrase 'New Jim Crow' in postmodernist perspectives on deviance refers to the disproportionate and unfair treatment of certain racial groups in the prison system. It speaks to systemic biases in the justice system and the racial disparities in incarceration and sentencing. This concept challenges the effectiveness of the prison system in dealing with underlying social issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Postmodernist perspectives on deviance suggest that the prison system reflects a "New Jim Crow" era, primarily highlighting the unfair treatment of certain racial groups (B). The term "New Jim Crow" refers to the systematic ways in which certain racial communities, particularly African Americans, are disproportionately subjected to criminal justice processes, leading to higher rates of incarceration and more severe punishments compared to other racial groups. This mirrors historical patterns of racial segregation and discrimination, despite the ostensible legality of equal treatment.
The prison industrial complex, alongside the influence of the political climate, such as "get tough on crime" policies, has been associated with an economic incentive to maintain high crime rates, incarceration rates, and recidivism rates. Moreover, the disproportionate incarceration of people based on race and poverty has been compounded by a lack of effective rehabilitation programs, which has fueled debate about the current functioning and purpose of the prison system.
Angela Davis and other activists and scholars have highlighted this discrepancy, linking it to a broader critique of incarceration practices that do not adequately address underlying social issues such as poverty and drug addiction. Thus, the notion of a "New Jim Crow" era within the prison system underscores systemic biases and calls for a reevaluation of justice and sentencing practices.