Closing Prisons: A Crucial Step Toward Equity and Economic Justice
The recent decision to close a women’s prison, along with other facilities, highlighted in the Washington Post article, “The US government is closing a women’s prison and other facilities after years of abuse and decay,” signals a pivotal moment in America’s ongoing reckoning with mass incarceration. Framed primarily as a response to violence against women and deteriorating conditions, the closures are far more than logistical decisions. They represent an essential opportunity to shrink the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) footprint and challenge the carceral systems that perpetuate inequality.
The U.S. incarcerates more people than any other country, yet this overreliance on prisons fails to make our communities safer. Instead, it entrenches cycles of poverty, exacerbates racial disparities, and drains taxpayers’ dollars. The closure of these prisons presents an opportunity to reduce reliance on mass incarceration and redirect critical resources toward alternatives proven to promote safety — community-based programs, mental health and substance use treatment, and education. Research shows that investing in such initiatives can reduce recidivism and foster safer, healthier communities. For instance, studies demonstrate that every dollar spent on early childhood education results in a $7 return through reduced crime and increased lifetime earnings.
Economic concerns also loom large in discussions about prison closures. While the transition may be disruptive for some workers in the BOP, we must recognize the larger historical context. For too long, prisons have provided jobs to working- and middle-class communities, creating an economic system that mirrors the exploitative legacies of slavery and Jim Crow. These systems have long relied on the labor of marginalized groups, while offering minimal economic benefits to others, perpetuating structural inequities that continue to impact our society today.
But there is a chance to break this cycle. Instead of maintaining prisons, we can shift investment toward sustainable industries — green energy projects, education, and job training — that uplift communities rather than oppress them. By investing in these alternatives, we can create opportunities for workers while fostering broader economic and social justice.
The closure of prisons is more than just an administrative decision; it represents a transformative moment in our society. As we dismantle the harmful systems of mass incarceration, we should seize the opportunity to build an economy that prioritizes equity, dignity, and shared prosperity. By shifting the focus away from incarceration and toward sustainable economic development, we can pave the way for a more just and inclusive future.
Jasmine L. Tyler is the executive director of the Justice Policy Institute
