On Thursday March 24, 2016, Grits for Breakfast, published an editorial titled “Can Washington D.C. Help Texas End Mass Incarceration?” The article reviews an essay called, “The Hill”, by Inimai Chettiar of the Brennan Center, which advocates for ways that the federal government can generate incentives for decreasing imprisonment in the states.

In this article, the editor focused on ways that the federal government generated incentives for apprehensions in Texas, specifically.  They discussed the role that the 1994 federal crime bill played in increasing captivity by offering stimulus to states that adopted the 85% completion rule. Although, Texas did not accept this offer, they adopted The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG), which also provided compensation for higher confinement and prosecutions rates. The editors argued that without much supervision, these grants only allowed better opportunity for scandal. They agree with the Brennan Center that incentives should be taken out but are skeptical that it will have a significant effect on Texas.

I feel that the author wants to capture the attention of minorities due to the fact that these programs affects us much more closely. I feel that everyone should be aware of these programs and acknowledge that there should be change.

Do I agree with this editorial? Not completely. I do agree that there should be a new modern bill passed that better suits our nation today. I don’t believe that offering incentives to decrease imprisonment is the best idea, because I feel it leaves a gap for wrongdoings.