A new map allows lawmakers, educators, the media and the public to zero in on the neighborhoods in their state that have the highest incarceration rates. Figures on how many individuals reenter their communities, or are on parole, as well as how much money is being spent is also available. The map now has information on such topics for 22 states. More states will be added next year, reports Eric Cadora, the director of the Justice Mapping Center, which produced the Atlas.
The available data is from 2008, but the information will be updated yearly. This project is a huge undertaking for the Justice Mapping Center, but one in which they have experience. Prior to this grand design, Justice Mapping Center used computers to detect parolee patterns in New Haven, CT and to identify the so-called “million dollar blocks” in New York City, which spend countless tax dollars on the criminal justice system.
Some of the tracking brings to light that which has long been suspected, such as formerly incarcerated persons return home to communities that are poor, and that low-income people and those without jobs are usually the ones that states spend mega-dollars to incarcerate.
The National Justice Atlas of Corrections and Sentencing can be viewing its website : www.justiceatlas.org or, by clicking on the Library section of www.reentrycentral.org
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