'Orange is the New Black' author advocates prison reform

Piper Kerman, who spent over a year in federal prison on a conviction for money laundering and drug trafficking, wrote a book about her experiences that has been turned into a popular Netflix series. She has also become an advocate for prison reform. Last week she spoke at the Alaska Bar Convention about how prison is being used to house the country's marginalized populations.

Piper Kerman at Alaska
Bar Convention in Anchorage

Not all people are policed or prosecuted or sentenced equally, Kerman said.  The highest rate of incarceration is among Native American girls whose offenses often involve status, homelessness and truancy. She added that African American men are four times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana, although studies show that white people are just as likely to smoke marijuana as black people.

Over the last 10 years, according to Kerman, there has been a 650% increase in the rate of incarceration of women. This is not because of a female crime wave but because of harsh punishments. Two-thirds of incarcerated girls and women are there for drug offenses and property crimes - this is more indicative of the system doubling down on harsh punishment rather than more crime, according to Kerman.

The Netflix series, "Orange is the New Black," looks at the lives of women in prison. The story lines in the series - which has been renewed for a 7th season - have traveled far from Kerman's memoir and explore the lives of people in and out of jail.

An audience member brought up Alaska's efforts at criminal justice reform with SB91 and asked Kerman how society's need for retribution is best addressed while tackling reform. Kerman recommended switching the conversation to accountability rather than retribution. What would accountability look like without banishment - which is essentially what prison does, she asked.

When asked about the most important avenues to reform, Kerman responded that it is in the hands of prosecutors to reduce charges — which will reduce prison sentences. And that criminal justice reform needs good messengers to be successful. She referenced the Vera Institute of Justice as an organization that provides good information regarding social justice reform.