The Political Economy of the Prison Crisis

Selected articles from Dollars & Sense

Guard Labor

By Michael Perelman

How capitalists’ need to control access to commodities—especially their workers’ labor-power—distorts production and stifles creativity. | Order this issue or subscribe.
The New Political Economy of Immigration

By Tom Barry | Jan/Feb 2009

Since 9/11, immigrants have become America’s most wanted—good news for the private firms and local governments that profit from their detention.
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ICE Descends on Rhode Island

By Rachael S. King | Sept/Oct 2008

The activist community in Providence, R.I. had the sense that something was about to happen. Rumors were flying about possible raids and arrests.
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Imprisoned in Low Wages

By Will Goldberg | July/Aug 2007

Limited access to education for people in prison leads to economic exclusion.
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The Real Political Purpose of the ICE Raids

By David Bacon | May/June 2007

Using immigration raids as a pressure tactic to get Congress to approve new guest worker programs is not a legitimate use of enforcement.
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Calling for Change

By Liv Gold and Chris Sturr | May/June 2006

Challenging a 630% mark-up on prisoner phone calls.
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Down by Law

By Barry Gerharz and Seung Hong | March/April 2006

Orleans Parish Prison before and after Katrina
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The Real Cost of Prisons Project

By Chris Sturr | Jan/Feb 2006

Economic analysis of the prison crisis reaches the grassroots.
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The Political Economy of the Prison Crisis

By Chris Sturr | Jan/Feb 2006

The huge expansion of the criminal justice system in the United States over the past thirty years has replaced social welfare programs with mass incarceration.
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