How does Steve's environment lead to his incarceration? What is the author saying about living environments?

In Monster, Steve's environment directly leads to his incarceration. Considering Steve is accused of murder merely by association, it can be gathered that those involved with the murder, Bobo Evans and James King, are the larger cause of why Steve is on trial. Realistically, these two men, whose power Steve tends to respect, utilize their massive amount of influence to perk Steve's interest in the crime. Furthermore, Steve's neighborhood is laregely populated by minorities (notabaly African Americans), who, unfortuantely are subject to prejudice.
In terms of actual environment, Steve's neighborhood is far from priveledged. Many of Steve's friends and acquaintences have resorted to crime out of desparation. The lack of economical opportunities force the citizens of the neighborhood to act out. The author, Walter Dean Myers, seems to suggest to the reader that being born into an underpriveledged area partially dooms children and teenagers; their peers are likely to turn to crime, and even those who don't are likely to get lumped with the others. The author seems to call to the readers to understand the significant negative effects that segregation, poverty, and racism have on many levels.
It's important to note that while writing his screenplay, Steve aims to paint his neighborhood in a positive light; his home, as lousy as it might be, is still his home, and thus he sees his neighborhood with a different set of eyes than an outsider would. Yet, if Steve were to grow up in a more positive and priveledged environment, the likelihood of getting pinned for the robbery/murder is far less probable.