America is the most incarcerated country in the world. With only 5% of the global population, America has close to 25% of the prison population. Why is the supposedly “land of the free” now the land of the imprisoned? According to author Beau Johhnson, there are four key reasons: Americans are ignorant, apathetic and fearful and, consequently, subjected to the institutional arrogance of governing authorities and officials.
Emma Lugo interviews James Johnson about his new book The End of Justice, his reflections on four years of incarceration and his hopes for reform of the criminal justice system.
About the author: In 2012, James Johnson confronted the unimaginable. As a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, a former United States Army Military Intelligence officer, Company Commander, a husband and father who never committed a crime and never violated anyone’s life, liberty or property, Johnson was the target of a raid by a federal SWAT team at a public restaurant in Virginia. Fifteen armed federal agents barreled through the doors with weapons drawn and zeroed in on Johnson as he dined with his sister and 4 year old niece. With red lasers targeted on his torso, agents tackled Johnson to the ground and then handcuffed and indignantly hauled him away. His experiences and reflection form the basis of his book, The End of Justice, which is available as a free download from his site theendofjustice.com
- KBOO