Locked In

Locked In examines the true drivers behind mass incarceration in America, challenging conventional narratives about the war on drugs and mandatory minimum sentences. Through data analysis and policy research, Pfaff demonstrates that local prosecutors' charging decisions have played a central role in prison population growth. The book traces key developments in the criminal justice system from the 1970s through today, with focus on state prisons rather than federal facilities. Pfaff presents statistical evidence about crime rates, sentencing patterns, and prosecutorial behavior to construct his argument about what really caused America's incarceration boom. The work methodically dissects popular reform proposals and explains why many current solutions may not adequately address the core problems. Pfaff outlines specific policy recommendations targeting prosecutorial power and discretion at the county level. At its core, this is a book about how institutions and incentives shape criminal justice outcomes, and how reform efforts must be grounded in accurate diagnosis of systemic problems. The analysis raises fundamental questions about justice, accountability, and the relationship between data and policy.

Most readers found Locked In presented compelling data-driven arguments that challenge common narratives about mass incarceration. Readers highlighted Pfaff's focus on prosecutors' role and his questioning of conventional wisdom about drug crimes and private prisons. Readers appreciated: - Clear statistical analysis backed by research - Fresh perspective on causes of prison population growth - Concrete policy proposals - Accessible writing style for complex topics Common criticisms: - Too much emphasis on data, not enough on human stories - Some sections become repetitive - Limited discussion of racial aspects - Few solutions offered for prosecutor accountability Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (150+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "Pfaff demolishes conventional wisdom with data, showing how focusing on the war on drugs misses the real driver of mass incarceration" - Amazon reviewer Another notes: "The writing gets dry and technical at times, but the insights are worth pushing through" - Goodreads reviewer

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The Rise of Big Data Policing by Andrew Ferguson Details how law enforcement agencies use predictive algorithms and surveillance technologies to make policing decisions and shape criminal justice outcomes.

Until We Reckon by Danielle Sered Presents evidence for why punitive incarceration fails to deliver justice or safety and proposes restorative justice approaches to address violent crime.

🔹 Despite common belief that drug crimes drove mass incarceration, violent crime prosecutions account for over 50% of prison population growth since 1990, as revealed in Pfaff's data-driven analysis. 🔹 John F. Pfaff, a professor at Fordham Law School, spent over a decade analyzing more than 40 years of prison data across multiple states to challenge conventional narratives about mass incarceration. 🔹 The book demonstrates how local prosecutors' increased tendency to file felony charges - which rose by 40% between 1994 and 2008 - played a crucial role in prison population growth. 🔹 The author argues that private prisons, contrary to popular belief, hold only about 8% of all prisoners and aren't a primary driver of mass incarceration. 🔹 Pfaff's research shows that California's "Three Strikes" law, often cited as a major cause of prison overcrowding, actually had less impact on incarceration rates than the everyday charging decisions made by local prosecutors.