Disposable Bodies: Human Dignity and Incarceration in the United States Public

Abstract

This thesis explores incarceration in the United States of America and its impact on incarcerated individuals’ human dignity. It also looks at how dehumanization in prisons aligns with the goals of punishment, international norms, and the definition of dignity. In Chapter 1, I define human dignity, using philosophy, the United Nations, and Supreme Court cases. In Chapter 2, I examine the traditional rationales for punishment. In Chapter 3, I look at current carceral practices that strip away human dignity. In Chapter 4, I explore justifications for this sort of punishment. Finally, in Chapter 5, I describe reforms that could be implemented to restore human dignity to incarcerated individuals. 

Table of Contents

Introduction                                                                                                                         1

Chapter 1: Defining Dignity                                                                                              6

Chapter 2: The Rationales for Punishment                                                                   11

Chapter 3: Current Carceral Practices                                                                            18

            Part 1: Particularly Abhorrent Carceral Practices                                            18

            Part 2: Practices Inherent to the United States’ Prison System                    25

Chapter 4: Unjustifiable Incarceration                                                                           30

Chapter 5: What Next?                                                                                                       36

Conclusion                                                                                                                            42

Bibliography                                                                                                                         44

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Philosophy
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Philosophy Law
Mot-clé	human dignity dehumanization incarceration prison
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	McAfee, Noëlle, Emory University
Committee Members	Higinbotham, Sarah, Emory University Yancy, George, Emory University

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