- It has robbed millions of people of their freedom, disproportionately affecting people of color, and it has had a ripple effect on their families, friends, and neighbors.

- Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to experience trauma, poverty, and incarceration themselves.

- Families and communities are left to pick up the pieces, often without the support they need.

To change this, we need to:

1. Reduce the number of people we send to prison. We can do this by:

* Decriminalizing drug possession and use

* Ending mandatory minimum sentences

* Expanding access to drug treatment and mental health services

* Reforming our bail system

2. Invest in alternatives to incarceration. We can do this by:

* Expanding community supervision

* Creating more opportunities for diversion programs

* Investing in reentry programs

3. Support families and communities affected by incarceration. We can do this by:

* Providing financial assistance and housing support

* Offering child care and other support services

* Addressing the trauma and stigma of incarceration

By working together, we can end mass incarceration and its devastating impact on families and communities.

Here are some specific examples of how mass incarceration has hurt American families:

- A 2018 study found that children of incarcerated parents are 10 times more likely to be incarcerated themselves.

- A 2017 study found that incarcerated parents are more likely to have children who live in poverty and who experience food insecurity.

- A 2016 study found that incarcerated parents are more likely to have children who experience behavioral problems and who have difficulty in school.

These are just a few of the many ways that mass incarceration hurts American families. It is a complex problem that has no easy solutions, but we must work together to end it.