I believe that poor people are more likely to receive very long sentances in the US justice system. This is because if a middle class kid commits a crime their

I believe that poor people are more likely to receive very long sentances in the US justice system. This is because if a middle class kid commits a crime their family will hire a lawyer and ensure proper process at least. So it seems to me that in the USA poverty is a predictor for disrupted family life, it is more likely that your mum or dad will be removed from your family for a prolonged period if you are poor even given a similar propensity for criminality in your group. Given that a family is disrupted in this way is it any wonder that decision making capability is then further damaged - producing a depressing spiral down?