Why does the USA have the highest number of people in prisons compared to other nations?

Question

More than 1.5 million people are now in U.S. state and federal prisons, up from 196,429 in 1970, the report said. Another 750,000 people are in local jails. The U.S. incarceration rate is the world's highest, followed by Russia, according to 2006 figures compiled by Kings College in London.

Answer 1

It's just politics. Starting about 30 years ago the Republicans started bashing the Democrats as being 'soft on crime'. This resonated with the voters so the Democrats started getting tougher on crime. Now in every election both candidates try to outdo each other on being tough on crime. No candidate, or elected official, dares suggest that we are -too- tough on crime for fear of being destroyed by his opponent as a crime wimp.

Here in California where I live, we doubled the sentences for all crimes, then we doubled them again. 30 years ago most first offenders got probation, to day they get jail sentences. We have a 3-strikes law but didn't repeal the pre-existing law that if you have a felony record than any misdemeanor you commit is a felony, so offenders are thrown in jail for 25-to-life for shoplifting or petty theft (one man for stealing a slice of pizza!) We can't build prisons fast enough, in fact some state politicians have seriously suggested converting some of our state college campuses into prisons because we can't afford the colleges anyway.

We are also passing minimum sentencing laws to take judgement out of the hands of judges, to put all the power in the hand of prosecutors. As a consequence, murderers and armed-robbers sentenced years ago have to be let out of jail to make room for minor drug offenders who, under the new law, -must- do XX years.

This has been going on for 30 years, and conservatives STILL bash Democrats as being soft on crime.

If you could make the streets safer by locking up more people, we should have the safest streets in the world!

Answer 2

The real answer is that most of those in prison are there because of drugs. The U.S. has a lower tolerance for drugs than other countries-just a fact!

According to the headlines weeks ago from AOL, the United States leads all countries in the world in the numbers of people incarcerated for crimes at 2.2 million- more than even China that has a population of 1.3 billion 4 times that of the U.S.

The incarceration rate is 737 per 100,000. Most industrialized countries are at the 100 per 100,000 rate. One in 32 Americans were incarcerated, on parole or probation-7 million total. Business is indeed booming.

The article clearly pointed out that nearly 2 million of those in prison on parole or probation were for drug related charges. Most countries treat drug offenders differently than the US accounting for the huge difference.

Answer 3

The answer to this is so simple it amazes me you would even ask such a question. But I know you ask it to try to prove your political point of view!
To the reason for sso many in prison in this country --- we live in a society that is morally bankrupt, and we have people thinking they can do any damn thing they want to with no consequence!
Why don't you go visit a prison and meet some of the scum in those institutions that you think you want released on the streets of this country?

Answer 4

Police state? Are you ******* kidding me?

We aren't throwing political dissidents into prison. We're throwing scumbags that prey on others into prisons!

Maybe if people took one ******* second to think about their actions, and the repercussions of those actions, they may not be committing crimes.

**** no! Its a "ME, ME, ME!!!" age for our society and its going to **** us all. Just think before spouting some garbage like this POLICE STATE **** people. Take a little responsibility for yourselves..

ANYWAYS, to answer your question. I touched on it during my rant for the ignorant morons above. It seems like spoiled Americans think everyone owes them something, and if they can't earn it, they will take it. That's the base of the reason we have so many incarcerated. Plus, I don't think were hard enough on our prisoners. Compare our prison system to one of the nation's systems that has far less prisoners, you'll see.

Answer 5

THE NEWEST STAT AS OF SEPT LAST YEAR WAS 2 MILLION INCARCERATED?

WHY IS IT SO HIGH?

WELL CONSIDER, WE GIVE LIFE WITHOUT SINCE 72 UNDER FURMAN AND THE APPEAL OF THE DEATH SENTENCE, THEN ADD IN 3 STRIKES AND YOUR OUT (HABITUAL OFFENDERS LAWS--LWOP FOR 3 OFFENSE) OR KNOWN AS THE ***** LAW. THEN WE CAN ALSO ADD TO THAT THE HOME LAND SECURITY ACT OF THE 911 OUTCRY AND LET US NOT FORGET ABOUT OUR DRUG DEALERS WHO GET A 40 YEAR SENTENCE.

NOW IS IT ANY WONDER THAT WE DO NOT HAVE 3 MILLION? THANK GOD FOR EARLY RELEASE AND OVERCROWDING CAUSING RELEASES.

Answer 6

We are not a police state...

what are you talking about


drugs are bad and people should be thrown in prison for life for trying it

edit
do you think that thumbs down knew that my answer was satirical

Answer 7

More crime commited less policing? More drugs getting trafficed throughout the USA. Recivism rate here is also high.

Answer 8

Just look at the people who are in prison and you should be able to figure it out. This isn't rocket science.

Answer 9

Other countries know how to punish their criminals. They make their prisons bad places to be.

Answer 10

More freedom means more people taking their chances at pushing the boundary between legal and illegal. However freedom does not mean lawlessness and thus lawbreakers are punished.