Journalist attacked on Twitter for comparing US prison system to white supremacy

Sarah Jaffe said the prison state 'exists to protect private property and is inseparable from white supremacy'

Some people stay behind to protect property despite being in the path of a hurricane (Getty/ Jose Jimenez / Stringer)

A US journalist and author has come under fire on Twitter after suggesting the country’s prison system was “inseparable” from white supremacy.

Sarah Jaffe, who reports on labour conditions and inequality in the US, tweeted a response to a Miami Police warning about looting during Hurricane Irma.

She said: “The carceral [prison] state exists to protect private property and is inseparable from white supremacy”.

The comment received over 2,000 likes and 1,000 retweets with may accusing her of being a “left wing lunatic” and asking her if she would be OK with people stealing things from her home.

Responding to the criticism Ms Jaffe said her feed had been “filled with neo-Nazis” who were sending her “defensive emails” about her comments.

At least 11 people have been killed in Florida since Hurricane Irma made landfall earlier this week and an estimated 13m people are believed to be without power.

Police in Fort Lauderdale say 19 people have been arrested on suspicion of burglary since the storm hit the city on Sunday, USA Today reported.

Police Chief Rick Maglione said in a statement: “Going to prison over a pair of sneakers is a fairly bad life decision.

“Stay home and look after your loved ones and be thankful they are all safe.”