Race, incarceration, and inmates' political motivation

Abstract

How does race affect an inmate's intention to vote? The effects of incarceration on the political motivation of current and former inmates have not received sufficient attention in scholarly literature. My research adds to this limited work by showing motivation among inmates regardless of structural barriers prohibiting them from political participation. The survey conducted in my research (N = 8,000) recorded the responses of current inmates. I find a significant difference in how incarceration affects black and white inmates' political motivation. For black inmates, incarceration boosts their political motivation, while white inmates are more likely to be demobilized. Additionally, black inmates are more likely to experience aspects of group consciousness and linked fate compared to their white counterparts. This study provides insight into how incarceration has increased inmates' intention to vote, noting that structural barriers to voting may inhibit turning these motivations into political action.