Criminalization of Race and Poverty
Criminalization of poverty has increased significantly in the U.S. since the Great Recession of 2009. Poor and low-income people, especially people of color, face a far greater risk of being targeted, profiled, fined, arrested, harassed, violated and incarcerated for minor offenses than other Americans. A broken taillight, an unpaid parking ticket, a minor drug offense, sitting on a sidewalk, or sleeping on a park can all result in jail time.
The criminalization of poor people happens at the intersectional oppressions of race, class, gender and gender identity. The criminalization of children is especially inhumane and disproportionality affects low-income Latinx and Black children, LGBTQI children and children with disabilities. The school-to-prison pipeline is a significant factor in removing opportunities for self-fulfillment, education and employment, often creating and perpetuating poverty.
By conducting research and reports on the various components of these injustices, and supporting movements on the ground with resources and capacity, the Criminalization of Poverty project aims to encourage and influence policy that will move us from intersectional injustice into intersectional justice.
Latest Work

Poverty Made an Alarming Jump. Congress Should Have Stopped It.

Affirmative Action Has Ended, but the Need for Diversity Hasn’t

Criminalization of Race and Poverty Program at the Institute for Policy Studies Responds to the Debt Ceiling Deal

Raise the Debt Ceiling, and Invest in America

The Human Cost of McCarthy’s Debt Ceiling Demands Would Be Catastrophic

When ‘Decorum’ Means ‘Mob Rule,’ It’s Time to Break It.

‘I Don’t Mind the Work’: An IPS Tribute to Harry Belafonte

Criminalization of Poverty Program at IPS's Statement on President Biden's Budget

President Biden: Don’t Negotiate With Fiscal Terrorists

An absurd issue demands an absurd solution: Let’s mint a bazillion-dollar coin to bring the curtain down forever on the Republicans’ farcical debt-ceiling theater

Four options for Democrats to avert another debt ceiling crisis

Americans of every race deserve a fair shot. Affirmative action provides one.

These midterm elections have enormous stakes for poor and low-income Americans

The data is in: Poverty is a political choice

Remembering Barbara Ehrenreich

Schools Won’t Be Safe Until Lawmakers Respect Students

Biden’s Inflation Bill Is (Mostly) Good News for People and the Planet

‘Hardening’ School Security Is the Wrong Answer

A Pandemic of the Poor

Clarence Thomas’ Conflicts Put Our Whole Constitutional System at Risk
View more >
Experts
Reports

Reimagining School Safety

Report: Students Under Siege

Report: Mothers at the Gate
