Is it true that the US has a higher percentage of its citizens in jail than any other democracy?

Question

If so, why?

I have the impression that our first reaction to any unacceptable behavior is to find someone to throw in jail, someone to punish. Is there some other reason?

China and most of the Middle Eastern countries are not actually democracies ("Peoples Republic" my eye).

So we have lots of violent criminals. What percentage are in jail for violent crimes?

And is routinely jailing everyone for everything the best or only solution? In most cases, it doesn't seem to be having the desired effect (discouraging anyone from committing another crime). Are we just jail-happy? And it's always "the other guy" so what do we care?

Answer 1

well some countries (like china) have a very progressive prison arrangement where most people are executed. thus keeping them in good scores with the size of their prisons.

Answer 2

Yes, and No is the other answer, there are a lot of people in prison that are in fact wrongly imprisoned, take the case of the state of Ohio a few years ago the state stopped all executions, because DNA had proved that there where several people on death row that where not guilty, believe me when I say that America has the best justice system that money can by "remember O J anyone" if you are poor in this country you are probably going to prison guilty or not. And can anyone out there truly say it is better to kill an innocent man than let a guilty one go free, I think not, but than again if WI out a doubt they are guilty let them stay in prison if that is what is needed, but don't lock a man away for years for smoking pot when most states now have medicinal marijuana laws

Answer 3

Does anyone here actually work in law enforcement and see how the courts have a revolving door system? Does anyone know that the federal government requires jails to provide FRESH fruit for inmates, 3000 calories per day, law library, exercise equipment, trade schools, medical and dental care ... the list goes on and on.
Inmates have the RIGHT to sue because their ice cream was slightly melted or their biscuit was not hot enough. All these rights on inmates cost tax payers money.
We put people in jail rather than cut their hand off for stealing or or public beatings.

Answer 4

Is there some other reason to throw someone in jail besides the reason you mentioned? That's your question?

Umm, well, how about because the person broke the law and got caught.

**EDIT** Sending my cousin to prison was the best thing anyone could have asked for, especially him. He was a crack addict. He had gotten himself in trouble in a different way while trying to support his crack habit. He avoided fights while in prison, and avoided drugs... enabling him to finally come clean... he took correspondence courses while in prison, and when he got out, he was almost finished with his degree. He now has a good job and family support around him.

Incarceration gets dangerous people off the street. What the jailed or imprisoned person does with his or her time there is up to them. Meanwhile, they are not able to hurt the public in any way.

Answer 5

It's expedient and its easy. Also, it's big business! Certain numbers of people in prison make the payroll feasible for the wardens and the guards and the ...
If the prisons don't work neither do the prosecuting attorneys, the defense attorneys, the baliffs, the clerks ...
In some towns, the prison is one of the biggest employers. Also, recidivism rates are high, some prisons might consider revolving doors because some prisoners, shall we say, "revisit?"
Some believe prisoners are taught by cell mates to emerge more criminally minded than they were before they were first incarcerated.

nuff said.

Answer 6

Yes and more executions. The majority of those are poor and minorities. Politicians actually win with platforms based on the statistics. It's big with Conservatives in the USA. George W. Bush (when Governor of Texas) and his brother Jeb Bush (former Governor of Florida) executed the most.

I don't live in Florida, therefore could not vote for or against Jeb; however, I did vote against George W. as President -- both times.

Answer 7

Yeah it was called the "Get tough 80's" and the war on drugs...

Michigan's budget right now has nearly surpassed education as the front runner.. The Gov. said in the state of state speach she is going to release the old and mental from the prison system due to overcrowding and no money..

Answer 8

Unlike most countries around the world, we a re a society based on law above all else. Therefore, if you break the law, you go to jail. Our society allows for a lot of freedom. Freedom, if you so choose, to break the law and go to jail.

Answer 9

yes we have alot of people in jails but thats beacause our police force and court are not corrupt like other countries.Like for example mexico (because my parent are from their and ive been there) there police officers are corrupt and they will charge you personally so they wont write you up like or take you to jail. like if they see someone dealing drugs and the cop wants to arrest the dealer the officer gives him an option its either you pay me or ill take you to jail and here in US officers really dont do that (remember mexico was just an example its not the only country that does it and mexico govt doesnt like corrput officers)

Answer 10

America has the highest per capita rate of people in prison!!! 737 per 100.000 or 2.2million incarcerated!!! More than any other nation... WE have an unusually high rate of violent crime!! MURDER, RAPES, MAJOR ASSAULTS!!!!!