Check out this episode of DC ME from Milwaukee. DJ interviews people whose lives have been affected by violence in the city.

That’s America, alright, and the numbers come from an article on prison reform written by Mark Lange in the Christian Science Monitor. As yall know, we’re big supporters of the Youth PROMISE Act over here at 99p.  The statistics from the American Prison system are horrendous; recidivism is practically guaranteed for many people who serve time, because they leave these “crime schools” with complicated paroles and no preparation in life after jail.  As Mr. Lange writes:

Mass imprisonment of nonviolent offenders amounts to justice by lock-down – and lets government off the hook for results. The only stakeholders this system serves are elected officials, including judges, who are rewarded for posing as “tough” on crime without solving it – and the lobbyists and interests paid to build and run prisons.

It’s hard to see justice in our country as a big business, but there are clearly many companies with stakes in the maintenance and expansion of our prison system.  But where does that leave the populace?  Especially in these tough economic times, resources are scarce.  More money for prisons means less money for rehabilitation.  But how can we decide the course of action: harsher sentencing and more police, or community education and maturity through mentoring?

Lange says it best: “The answer depends on what you think American society should more closely resemble: a school, or a prison.“

The recession has had drastic effects on families nationwide. Personally, I know it is having a drastic effect in my household, and I have not seen anyone profiting from this economic downturn. So, every now and then, it is fantastic to see something good happening as a result of such a terrible economic climate. A rose that grows from concrete, if you will.

It would seem that as a result of the economic downturn, the current prison strategy is essentially ‘too much’ to handle in the current economic climate and states are starting to pursue prison reform as an viable option, as well as methods seen in the Youth Promise Act.

Check out some of these statistics:

• In Wisconsin, “by 2019 the number of prisoners is expected to have swollen by another 25%, with a price tag of $2.5 billion.”
• Michigan “spent a staggering 22% of its general fund on corrections last year.”
• “Three judges in California have instructed that state to cut its prison population by one-third by 2012.”
• “The Pew Centre on the States, a research outfit, reports that one in 100 Americans is incarcerated. One in 31 is in prison, on parole or on probation. “

Many states, other than the ones listed above, are considering reforms due to the dire economic climate. It just goes to show ya: money talks, and when it does, people listen.

We have to expect our government to take on the real problems in our neighborhoods. We’re not used to counting on them for change, but we should be able work with them and make something important happen.

There are over 80 cosponsors of the Youth PROMISE Act right now; we’re trying to get up to 150, but that’ll take all of us working together, contacting our representatives and telling them personally that we want their support for this pivotal piece of legislation.

Go to 99problems.org/youth-promise to send a message to your representative. It only takes a few minutes but will mean a world of change.

In D.C. for the Youth PROMISE Day of Action, I was invited to watch the documentary “Crips and Bloods: Made in America”, (directed by Stacy Peralta and produced by actor Cash Warren and NBA superstar Baron Davis) at a special screening hosted by Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) on Capitol Hill. The screening was held to kickoff a series of events in support of the Youth Promise Act national day of actio.

As I watched the film, I couldn’t help but think about my favorite line from the seminal 70s gang movie, The Warriors. It was the unforgettable line Cyrus delivered during his legendary speech: “Miracles are the way things ought to be.”

The film, while capturing the essence of street gang life in LA, highlighted the humanity of these young people and opened up the possibility of a better tomorrow. As Baron Davis said tonight, “My homies were my inspiration for this film”, and it is in that spirit that we as the League of Young Voters Education Fund support initiatives such as the Youth Promise Act and films such as Crips and Bloods: Made In America.

Last night’s event reminded me that miracles are the way things ought to be. Young people with opportunities are the way things ought to be. A pipeline from the cradle to college and jobs, instead of jails, is the way things ought to be. Young people who’ve made mistakes getting legitimate second chances is the way things ought to be. We can save the next generation of young Americans from rampant poverty, crime and violence if we provide healthy alternatives to the lure of the street.

Today, representatives of organizations and concerned citizens from all over the country will be asking their congressional representatives to co-sponsor the Youth Promise Act. We have an online action where you can email your congressperson, send letters to the editor of your local newspaper and organize a house party screening of the documentary. In the coming days, we will continue to engage elected officials, policy makers and many everyday citizens to educate them about the importance of addressing this issue. Today is only the beginning of a larger effort; we hope you will join the struggle and help us make miracles the way things are.

-Khari Mosley

We’re serious about this. The Youth PROMISE Act is the biggest step we can take right now to keep the kids of America out of prison.

Please get involved; speak up for all the youth who’ve been given the right to remain silent.

Stand up for the leaders of tomorrow.

Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to start the discussion in your community.

Write your Congressional Representative to let them know you support the Youth PROMISE Act!