The Jail is Everywhere: Fighting the New Geography of Mass Incarceration

Jails are the fastest-growing sector of the US carceral state, transforming the region around them. Campaigns against new or expanded jails have emerged in large and mid-sized cities and in dozens of small towns and rural counties, but they tend to be isolated from each other and from broader movements. The Jail Is Everywhere brings together an incredible range of knowledge and experience from jail fights across the country.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2024
Publisher: Verso Books

The United States is home to a vast network of jails, short-term detention centers operated by local sheriffs that play a crucial role in funneling individuals into prisons and long-term incarceration. Jails have emerged as the fastest-growing sector within the US carceral state, exerting significant influence over their surrounding regions. As these facilities expand, they overshadow other vital aspects such as healthcare provision and employment opportunities, prioritizing carceral concerns over community well-being.

However, the presence of jails has sparked resistance across the country. Campaigns against new or expanded jails have emerged in large and mid-sized cities, as well as in dozens of small towns and rural counties. While there is some coordination and communication among these struggles, they often operate in isolation from broader movements advocating for social justice and reform.

The Jail Is Everywhere: Mapping the New Terrain of Anti-Jail Organizing is a groundbreaking book that brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience from jail fights across the nation. It provides a comprehensive map of this evolving landscape, highlighting the insightful analyses of anti-jail organizers themselves as they guide us through campaigns that, while appearing local, are at the forefront of shaping the carceral state.

The book is preceded by a foreword by Ruth Wilson Gilmore, a renowned scholar and activist who has dedicated her work to challenging the carceral state and promoting alternatives to incarceration. Gilmore's foreword provides valuable insights into the historical and political context of jail expansion, as well as the urgent need for alternatives to address the root causes of crime and social inequality.

Throughout the book, the authors offer a deep understanding of the challenges and strategies employed by anti-jail organizers in their efforts to dismantle the carceral system. They showcase the diverse tactics used, including grassroots organizing, legal challenges, direct actions, and community building. The authors also provide valuable insights into the broader social and political implications of jail expansion, highlighting how it perpetuates racial and economic disparities, reinforces colonialism, and undermines democratic values.

The Jail Is Everywhere offers a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of those who are fighting against the carceral state. It provides a roadmap for organizing and building solidarity across different communities, as well as a call to action for policymakers, activists, and individuals to recognize the harmful impact of jails and work towards alternatives that prioritize justice, healing, and community well-being.

In conclusion, The Jail Is Everywhere: Mapping the New Terrain of Anti-Jail Organizing is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of the carceral state and the ongoing struggle against incarceration. It offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the jail system, highlighting the challenges and strategies employed by anti-jail organizers, and providing a roadmap for building a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 200g
Dimension: 209 x 140 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804291313