Christian leaders speak out against ‘mass incarceration’ of blacks in the US, noting drug use statistics

Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox church leaders decried “mass incarceration” in America, noting drug and immigration related crimes, describing this as “mass incarceration.”

Reporting that America has “25% of the world’s imprisoned people” Christian Churches Together issued a statement calling for changes.

“Mass incarceration is a destructive system of human control where certain ethnic minorities experience inequitable interaction with the nation’s penal system,” the statement read.

“African Americans make up 13% of the US population and use drugs at the same rates as people of other races, but represent 45% of those imprisoned for drug violations.”

“Mass incarceration must stop,” the Christian leaders added. “We are challenging ourselves together with government and the nation to seize this moment when multiple forces are aligning toward positive action to correct the injustices within our ‘justice’ system.”

Denis Madden of Baltimore, who serves as chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, represented the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at the meeting.