A panel discussion will include:
• Deborah Young, President, Cape Girardeau NAACP
• Fredric Raines, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Washington University
• Edna (Hedy) Harden, Board member, Citizens United for
Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE)
• Tarah Demant, Amnesty International USA, Missouri Area Coordinator
• Zaki Baruti, Gateway Green Alliance, Universal African Peoples Organization
[moderator]
From 1940–1980, the number of Americans incarcerated grew at an annual rate of 1.3%, less than population
growth. But from 1980–2000, the incarceration rate grew by 7.6% per year. It was driven by punitive federal
drug laws, particularly those mandating minimum sentencing. The 1986 "Drug Free America" act specifically
targeted inner cities. A black male became 14 times as likely to be incarcerated as a white male, and an Hispanic
7 times as likely.
Deborah Young will speak on the inhumane treatment inmates are receiving in Southeast Missouri correctional
facilities. Some prisoners have complained of being denied food, water and arbitrarily being put in the hole for
six months to a year.
Fredric Raines will describe how the Prison Industrial Complex has devastated inner cities greatly damaged race
relations, and eroded constitutional rights. It represents America's 30 year war on itself.
Edna Harden will address the cost to society of the massive prison industrial complex – the death penalty,
long-term sentences, the aging prison population. True rehabilitation and community corrections can make
society safer.
Tarah Demant will cover detained immigrants, including asylum seekers, torture survivors, victims of human
trafficking, longtime lawful residents, and parents of U.S. citizen children. Immigrants can be detained for years
without any meaningful judicial review
Sponsored by Gateway Green Alliance and Universal African Peoples Organization. For more information call 314-727-8554 or visit:
www.gateway-greens.org
