Overall, I agree with you. Mass incarceration is largely about money. Also, prisoners count towards the population of where the prison is located at census tim

Overall, I agree with you. Mass incarceration is largely about money. Also, prisoners count towards the population of where the prison is located at census time. It allows mostly white, rural locations to increase their minority representation at census time, that's the kind of thing that's taken into consideration when government assistance is being handed out. Additionally, this can help when apportioning congressional districts. Hundreds or thousands of residents who can't vote are a great reward for congresspersons who can bring new prisons to their districts.