Overall Trends

The period covered in "Assata: An Autobiography" captures a time of major changes in the American criminal justice system, especially when it comes to incarceration rates. Shakur's experiences, set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and its aftermath, hint at the coming boom in the U.S. prison population.

1970s-mid-1990s

This era, which includes Shakur's 1973 arrest, trials, and her 1979 escape from prison, saw the start of a huge increase in incarceration rates across the United States. While crime rates were definitely a concern, the dramatic rise was mainly driven by changes in policies and sentencing laws, rather than a matching increase in criminal activity. Longer sentences played a big part; between 1990 and 2009, state prison terms increased by an average of 36%, which meant an extra nine months, pushing the average sentence close to three years. [2] During this time, mandatory minimum sentences also became a thing; laws in the 1980s introduced these sentences, taking away judges' ability to decide on a case-by-case basis by enforcing fixed terms for certain crimes, no matter the circumstances. Also, the 1990s brought in "three strikes" laws, which meant life in prison for people convicted of their third felony, often leading to really harsh sentences for relatively minor offenses. [3]

Assata Shakur's interactions with the legal system, as she describes in her autobiography, offer a strong firsthand look at this increasingly tough approach to criminal justice. Her trials and time in prison give readers a clear picture of how these policy changes started to shape things, setting the stage for the mass incarceration crisis that would get much worse in the following decades. The increased policing of Black communities greatly impacted Shakur, especially as a member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army, both of which were heavily targeted by law enforcement. Shakur believed that such laws and practices were made to criminalize Black people.

Late 1990s-2000s

Even though Assata Shakur was no longer in the United States during this period, having sought political asylum in Cuba after her escape, the trends she pointed out in her earlier years kept evolving and had effects on the broader social and political scene. From 2009 onward, there was a small dip in prison populations, partly due to criminal justice reforms and changing public views on incarceration. This dip was minor at first, but then the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a bigger 14% drop in the prison population, mostly because of measures like early releases and fewer new admissions to slow the spread of the virus in correctional facilities. However, recent years have seen this trend reverse, with a 2% increase in the prison population by 2022, driven by increases in 36 states and the federal prison system, showing ongoing challenges and shifts in incarceration policies.

Even though Shakur was physically out of the American prison system during this time, her initial experiences and later escape provide an important perspective for viewing these later developments. They highlight the lasting impact of the systemic issues she fought against, showing how the seeds of mass incarceration planted in the 1970s continued to grow in the following decades.

Assata Shakur's story isn't just a personal one of struggle and resistance; it also strongly criticizes the racial inequalities built into the American criminal justice system. Her experiences, as detailed in her autobiography, highlight the outsized impact of incarceration on Black communities, a trend that has been thoroughly documented and studied.

Dominance in Jail Population

Throughout her autobiography, Shakur consistently points out the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system. She talks about many instances of racial profiling, unfair treatment, and systemic biases that she and others faced. These observations aren't just anecdotes; they're backed by a lot of data showing the widespread racial disparities in the American prison system. The impact of the "War on Drugs," started in 1971, can't be ignored as it led to a big increase in drug-related incarcerations, with Black communities being hit hardest. By 2007, statistics showed that 1 in 198 American adults was incarcerated, with African Americans making up a strikingly large percentage of this group. [5]

Shakur's personal experiences clearly show these broader trends. For example, she describes how interactions with law enforcement often turned into violent clashes, and how she was frequently targeted because of her activism and involvement with the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. These experiences highlight the systemic racism built into the criminal justice system, which effectively criminalizes Blackness and keeps cycles of incarceration going. This was especially clear under the COINTELPRO operations, which targeted political groups seen as subversive by the government, with a particular focus on groups like the Black Panther Party. Shakur was an active member of such initiatives.

Sharp Increase (1985-1995)

Although Assata Shakur was no longer incarcerated in the United States from 1985 to 1995, having escaped to Cuba in 1979, her story and the conditions she described in her autobiography set the stage for understanding the factors that led to the sharp rise in Black incarceration rates during this decade. The crack cocaine epidemic, which hit many urban areas hard, played a big part, as did the major sentencing differences in place at the time. Between 1984 and 1989, the murder rate for Black males aged 14 to 17 more than doubled, largely because of the spread of crack cocaine and the related violence. [7]

At the same time, the sentencing difference between crack and powder cocaine offenses—set at a 100:1 ratio—meant much longer sentences for those convicted of crack-related crimes, who were mostly Black. This sentencing gap was a key reason for the jump in Black incarceration rates during this time. Shakur's earlier accounts of systemic racism and unfair practices in the criminal justice system provide important context for understanding these later developments. Her experiences in the 1970s with racial profiling, disproportionate policing, and harsh sentencing hinted at the terrible impact that policies like the 100:1 sentencing ratio would have on Black communities in the 1980s and 1990s.

Historical Context

Assata Shakur's experiences, as detailed in her autobiography, are closely tied to the broader historical context of the "War on Drugs" and changing policing policies, especially during the 1980s and 1990s. These policies had a deep and unequal impact on Black communities, shaping the landscape of mass incarceration that continues today.

1980s War on Drugs

Shakur's autobiography gives a firsthand look at the early years of the "War on Drugs," a campaign started by President Richard Nixon in 1971 and greatly ramped up under President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Her story reveals the awful effects of this campaign on urban, mostly Black, communities. The Reagan administration's approach led to a big increase in policing in these areas, often resulting in aggressive and discriminatory law enforcement practices.

Key parts of this ramp-up included more money for drug enforcement, mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, and the militarization of local police forces. The 1033 Program, created in 1997, let surplus military equipment be transferred to local law enforcement, further increasing policing in minority neighborhoods. This militarization often led to a more aggressive, confrontational way of policing, worsening tensions between law enforcement and the communities they served.

Shakur's experiences reflect these changes, highlighting how the War on Drugs effectively criminalized Blackness and helped lead to the mass incarceration of Black people. She talks about instances of police brutality, harassment, and the targeting of activists and community leaders. These personal stories are typical of the broader systemic problems that came from the War on Drugs, showing how the campaign hit Black lives harder and contributed to the rise in incarceration rates in these communities. [6]

1990s Policing Policies

While Assata Shakur's direct experiences with the American justice system mostly predate the policing policies of the 1990s, her accounts in "Assata: An Autobiography" hint at many of the developments that would mark this era. Specifically, her story provides an important perspective for understanding the impact of policies like "broken windows" policing and "stop-and-frisk" on minority communities.

"Broken windows" policing, mainly used in New York City under Mayor Rudy Giuliani, focused on aggressively targeting minor crimes and signs of urban decay, based on the idea that this would prevent more serious crimes. While supporters said it led to lower crime rates, critics pointed out its unequal impact on minority communities, leading to more arrests for minor crimes and worsening racial differences in the criminal justice system. [8]

Similarly, "stop-and-frisk" policies, which let police officers stop, question, and frisk people based on "reasonable suspicion," were widely criticized for their discriminatory use. These policies hit Black and Latinx people hardest, resulting in a big increase in arrests for minor crimes and adding to the already high incarceration rates in these communities.

Shakur's earlier experiences with police harassment, surveillance, and discriminatory treatment provide important context for understanding the later effects of these policies. Her stories of being targeted for her activism and involvement with the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army highlight how law enforcement practices often criminalized Blackness and marginalized minority communities.

Broader Implications

Assata Shakur's autobiography, "Assata: An Autobiography," not only gives a strong personal account of her struggles within the American criminal justice system but also highlights the long-term, far-reaching effects of mass incarceration on Black communities. Her story, set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and the rise of Black nationalism, sheds light on the systemic problems that have led to the unequal incarceration of Black people and the terrible impact on their communities.

One of the biggest implications highlighted in Shakur's story is the intergenerational impact of mass incarceration. A 2018 study found that the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s, which was heavily criminalized and led to a jump in incarceration rates, had long-lasting effects on crime rates in affected communities. Specifically, the study noted that high murder rates for young Black males continued even 17 years after the start of the epidemic. This finding shows how the policies of mass incarceration, which Shakur experienced in their early stages, have created cycles of violence and instability that continue to affect later generations.

Also, Shakur's story sheds light on the broader destabilization of Black communities caused by high incarceration rates. Research has shown that the mass incarceration of the 1980s and 1990s led to a 20–100% increase in bad social outcomes, including fetal death rates, low birth-weight babies, weapons arrests, and the number of children placed in foster care within Black communities. These statistics reveal the deep social costs of mass incarceration, going beyond the people in prison to their families and communities.

Shakur's experiences, as told in her autobiography, give a human face to these statistics. She describes the constant fear and insecurity of living under heavy police surveillance, the emotional pain of being separated from loved ones, and the challenges faced by those trying to rebuild their lives after prison. Her story highlights how the criminal justice system often targets and breaks up Black families and communities, creating lasting social and economic hardships.

The broader implications of Shakur's story extend to the ongoing need for criminal justice reform. Her autobiography is a powerful reminder of the human cost of policies that focus on punishment over rehabilitation, and prison over community investment. By sharing her experiences, Shakur challenges readers to face the systemic racism built into the criminal justice system and to think about different approaches that address the root causes of crime and promote social justice.

Conclusion

"Assata: An Autobiography" is more than just a personal memoir; it's a strong criticism of the systemic injustices that have shaped the American criminal justice system, especially its impact on Black communities. Through her clear and unflinching story, Assata Shakur gives readers a firsthand look at the racial discrimination, police brutality, and legal biases that she and many others faced during a turbulent time in American history.

Shakur's experiences, set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, the rise of Black nationalism, and the early years of the War on Drugs, offer important insights into the factors that led to the big increase in incarceration rates, especially among Black Americans. Her story predates some of the biggest jumps in the jail and prison populations, but it reveals the foundations of a system that would continue to hit Black communities hardest for decades to come.

The autobiography is a powerful reminder of the human cost of these policies. Shakur's account highlights not just the physical and emotional toll of incarceration but also the broader social and economic effects on people, families, and communities. By sharing her story, Shakur challenges us to face the systemic racism built into the criminal justice system and to think about the long-term impacts of policies that focus on punishment over rehabilitation.

Also, "Assata: An Autobiography" highlights the ongoing need for criminal justice reform. Shakur's story calls for a rethink of the approaches to crime and punishment, pushing for solutions that address the root causes of social problems rather than continuing cycles of incarceration. Her story is a strong testament to the resilience and resistance of those who have fought against injustice, and it serves as an inspiration for continued activism and advocacy.

In the end, Assata Shakur's autobiography is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the complexities of race, justice, and incarceration in America. It provides an important perspective on the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Black communities, and it challenges us to work toward a more just and equal society. The autobiography isn't just a look at the past; it's a call to action for the present and future, reminding us that the fight for justice is far from over.

Sources

1. Assata: An Autobiography

2. State Reforms Reverse Decades of Incarceration Growth - Pew Trusts

3. Sentencing Laws and How They Contribute to Mass Incarceration - Brennan Center for Justice

4. U.S. Prison Population Trends: Massive Buildup and Modest Decline - Sentencing Project

5. Prisoners in 2007 - Bureau of Justice Statistics

6. ACLU History of Black America: Casualties of the War on Drugs - ACLU

7. Human Rights Watch: The War on Drugs - Human Rights Watch

8. Racial Biases within Stop and Frisk: The Product of Inherently Flawed Judicial Precedent - Ramapo College Journal