The USA locks up more people than anywhere in the world

U.S. Losing Edge In Incarceration Per Capita


A lot of Americans seem to boast about the "freedom" they enjoy in America, but are Americans confusing freedom with authoritarianism? Does the America idea of freedom involve being locked up in a cage?

In 2005, the FBI estimated 4 761,6 people were arrested per 100 000 inhabitants in the U.S.

Grave news out of Carson City, Nevada. A 220-year-old prison in the city, the oldest in the nation and also older than the state of Nevada, may be closing in order to save the state $18 million per year. This is part of disturbing trend across the country where both prisons and parole programs are coming under scrutiny for excessive cost. If we keep this up, we may lose our worldwide lead on incarceration per capita, and that cannot be allowed to happen.

Currently, one of every 31 people in the United States is either in prison, on parole, or under probation. It’s been a long road, but we’ve managed as a country to turn over three percent of our population into criminals, and I’ll be damned if these yellow-bellied accountants let these dangerous people out of prison. After all, it’s not like the majority of prison inmates are non-violent drug offenders or people who violated ridiculously arcane technicalities of their parole (disclosure: in California the largest percentage of inmates are those who violated ridiculously arcane technicalities of their parole).

They even sent Martha Stewart to jail. Why? Well, that's just what they do there.

I don’t think that the people considering closing these prisons take into account what will happen to the job market. First of all, running prisons costs states about $48 billion a year and employs a lot of people. What happens to all those Corrections Officers when prisons get shut down? And what about all the released inmates who will then want to find jobs? There are only so many positions open at local fast food restaurants and the market for authentic prison tattoos has dried up since gangsta rap stopped being relevant.

This cash crunch isn’t just affecting the prison systems of liberal states, though. Even capital punishment stalwarts like Kentucky and Kansas are starting to redraft their incarceration and parole regulations in order to cut costs. I never thought I’d live to see the day when Kentucky showed any sort of pity or leniency to inmates, regardless of the motivating factors. Hell has certainly frozen over.

Don’t get too discouraged, though. If we follow trends, things are looking good. For example:

This graph shows that around 1980 the rate of prisoners sky-rocketed. Some say this is because of anti-drug laws that mandated harsh prison sentences for non-violent offenders. I say it was because all the criminals who had ever gotten away realized that nobody messes with Reagan and turned themselves in.

If we can manage to continue this trend, we could have a full ten percent of the population locked up within a few decades. That would not only secure our lead in the incarceration per capita race, but also ease our image in the Middle East. After all, if we lock up one in ten of our own people, then abducting and secretly holding a few Afghani cab drivers for 8 years doesn’t seem all that bad.

by Josh Calkins on March 24, 2009
Find out how the U.S. compares to other countries.
List of incarceration rates

 

At least we don't allow caning, or anything else "cruel and unusual."

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the people in jail want to be there,, trust me... if the didnt there would be full scale roits across the USA..

Roit please nigga I got a home here..:leaving:

 

I hope your being sarcastic.

 

You’re right the vast majority of prisoners within the penal system are ‘under organized’ and incapable of making it out here in real world. They prefer prison life to the stress of working a 9-5 job, paying bills, and raising a family.

What we should do is make prison life so terrible no one but the insane would want to be there

Hotwater

 

I agree. Prisons are way too comfortable. Also, my cousin is a convicted felon. Now that he's out of prison after serving all of his time, it's nearly impossible for him to find a job or get integrated back into our society. What's the point of serving a jail sentence when after release you find yourself being penalized even further.

The rate of 2nd time offenders is astronomical in this country. We need to recognize this and put more emphasis on incorporating these people back into society as productive and contributing members.

 

It defeats the purpose, many would turn back to crime if people can't offer them a stable and honest lifestyle.

 

I couldn't agree more, but we should also find solutions other than prison. The threat of a prison sentence doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent to crime. I think it should be reserved for those who need to be removed from society for our protection.

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Stick 'em on the front line, if the punishment fits the crime.

 

Georgia started as a prison colony. England decided to empty her debtor prisons and turn us loose in the woods to start a new civilization.
We did, but we are still debtors.

 

Lmao look at what a terrible statement that is. American prisons are hell on Earth, near every prison in every state is overcrowded, violence is rampant, gangs run them and guards do nothing to stop it, and an estimated 130,000 rapes a year take place in American prisons.

 

but they get xbox!

 

Actually, in the 50s and 60s there were kids 17 to 21 who were given the choice between prison and the military; most chose the military, even during the Vietnam war. And, the survivors turned away from crime; having your legs shot off and PTSD has away of doing that. It's like the death penalty for tagging. But, for some violent offenders that might be a good option.

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It appears you have not been in any Pennsylvania prisons... they are jokes.. Even the said scariest prison in PA SCI Graterford is a love shot.. I dont know where you got the 130,000 rapes in prison.. its laughable actually.. Rape is a crime. And in some if not most states its still punishable if committed inside a prison is sentence is RHU for a life time.. so you can say, oh the Inmate isnt going to report it,, cant see why not,, The offender will never been seen again in general population..

 

My parents are both police officers that have beens stationed in prisons for 10 years after being done with road patrol. I know exactly what the prisons are like inside. A lot of inmates have access to TV, games, even email, not to mention you get a roof over your head and 3 pretty damn good meals.

You'd be amazed how many homeless people commit crimes where I live so that they have a good place to sleep and three square meals. I'm not joking. People are literally committing crimes because it puts them in a better situation than their current life, especially during the winters.

 

Add free bus service to my favorite pub and hookers on weekends and I'm in.

Life in America, "How sweet it is."

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It's because of the blacks in all honesty. And you can't even deny it.

 

Can't I?

Blaming everything on [ethnic group] is an old trick. Reality is not so black and white (if you'll excuse the pun).

The US's high incarceration rate is more down to their culture/economic system.

 

Yeah well take a look at the percentage of black people in the can!!!! Yeah suck it!!!!

 

Sooner or later, probably later the way this country is, the lack of funds is going to force local, state, and federal governments to reconsider what they jail people for. Locking up non violent people just for the sake of punishment is very non productive, and does nothing to rehabilitate someone. Community service would be a pretty good alternative, and would make punishment a positive experience. Somebody doing community service has a chance to learn perhaps a trade, and also could take pride in themselves at the end of it at a job well done. That would go a long way in having a better future and a positive attitude.