Racial Injustice in the Prison System

My name is Henry Indresano and I am a senior here at the Prep. I researched injustices in the prison system this year. My interest in this topic stemmed from our Social Justice class last year as juniors when we learned of Kalief Browder. Kalief Browder was accused of stealing a backpack in New York in 2010 as a 16-year old. He refused to accept pleading guilty for less jail time, and instead spent 3-years in jail awaiting trial on Riker’s Island during which time he was the victim of assault from inmates and officers. He also spent long periods of time in solitary confinemen. He attempted suicide as well during this time. Two years after his release he committed suicde at the age of 22. This story evidences the injustices in the justice system and first drew my attention to these issues.