The number of African-Americans being locked up in Georgia’s prison system has dropped to historic lows, reflecting a monumental shift in the way Georgia is punishing nonviolent offenders.

In 2011 there were more African-Americans in prison or "under the watch" of the justice system than were enslaved in the United States in 1850.

The earliest-known prison memoir penned by an African American was published by Random House on Jan. 26, over 150 years after it was originally written.

"There are more African-American men in prison, jail, on probation or parole than were enslaved in 1850," said Diego Arene-Morley, president of Brown University Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

In supporting Evers’ plan, state Rep. David Crowley, D-Milwaukee, cited high incarceration rates for African-American males.