Roving Camera

Why do you think there is such a heavy emphasis on incarceration in the United States?

I think we're a really big country. Guns are more prevalent here and I guess people aren't afraid to use them.

Sylvia

Secretary

Brookline

All the stuff happening in the 'hood. The United States is more violent than other countries.

Ulysses McFarlin

Construction

Roxbury

Bad education, broken homes. Parents have to work and there's no one at home with the children. Thafs where the state comes in.

Christine

Direct Care Worker

Dorchester

It starts with the family. We have a large number of single-parent families, inadequate public schools and our prisons don't reform people. I think those are contributing factors.

Leon Jackson Jr.

Security

Roxbury

We're not really violent, but people here are stupid. Most of the people locked up are knuckleheads who don't respect themselves and do stupid things.

Baby D.

Artist

Roxbury

That's the way capitalism works. Two percent control all the power, everyone else is on their own. We're 60 percent of the prison population so you know racism is a big factor.

Sadiki Kambon

Community Activist

Roxbury