Is it ironic that the so-called "land of the free" has imprisoned more of its citizens per capita than almost

Question

any other country in the world? What gives there?

Thanks for defending your country (to the people who suggested I leave the US) but I'm happily not a US citizen. I visited once and have no plans to return. It's not worth it, in my opinion. I'm gay, atheist, enjoy at least one victimless criminal practice and I like my relative freedom here in Australia too much. I suppose the majority in your country (who apparently also think the universe (or at least the world) is only a few thousand years old) wouldn't want me. OK.

To the person who wasn't convinced of how relatively 'imprisoned' US citizens are, please note that a later answerer has given an answer. I hope it is satisfactory. What fascinates me is that people who I have (admittedly) assumed live in the US don't know just how unjust (and essentially racist to be frank) the US 'justice' system is. It's not about efficient police forces. Ask Rodney King and maybe O. J. about the efficiency of the justice system.

The inhumanity of capital punishment is another matter.

The US is one of the most 'backward' countries in that regard, too, IMHO.

Thanks for your edit krys. I liked Jeremy's answer, too.

Thanks to everyone for your answers. The question was intended to provoke thought. I'm sorry that it didn't for all of you. Puritanism lives in the US as it does in Saudi Arabia!

Answer 1

there are some very ignorant people answering these questions I'm responding to them(not the question itself). For starters of the top 20 countries in the HDI report, only two have not ended executions: the US, and Japan. Secondly the US has a portion of it's population in prison that is more than 3.9 times the next of the top 20 nation: new zealand. More than 6.9 times that of Canada. You have the highest portion of prisoners in the world. The only nations who come with in 2/3 of your nation are: Rwanda, Russia, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
If people don't like it I suggest moving to Canada, the UK, Autralia, or New Zealand. if people want a place that reminds them of America, but is different Rwanada and Russia might be more appropriate.

Answer 2

Freedom is really something of the answer here. Take the Scandanavian countries as an example. They are geographically small, not ethnically diverse, they have very strong Social Programs and very strong communities. How much real freedom do they enjoy. Do they even think about freedom the way an American does?

Now look at the US...wide open spaces, where a person can actually fall off the grid. A huge diversity of races, religions, creeds, etc. And an ever weakening emphasis on Social Programs. And our communities aren't that strong...especially after you drive out of your gated subdivision.

Ultimately, in our "Land of the Free" you are pretty much on your own and the result is that there are an awful lot of folks who have "no skin in the game" and decide that they will exercise the one thing they have...which is freedom from obeying the laws of the land. Now of course that kind of freedom has a very steep cost...

Answer 3

Hi Liberty. Good question. Obviously, I don't have an answer anymore than anyone else, because it's a complex question. But like everyone I have opinions. I think the underlying question is why there are hundreds of thousands of criminals behind bars in the USA. It the United States a nation inherent with traits of violence, which stems from their own history? A nation built on, basically war, i.e. 1776 Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War? Is it, as stated in the USA's constitution the "right to bear arms", which in essence opens up a can of worms to those individuals in society who feel it is their "God given right" to therefore act in violent ways to protect their own interests? A pretty complicated question. I'd love to know the answer. Good stats too. My post wasn't mean to offend, just question and open up discussion. An addendum: I do agree clearly with None. The USA is the only western democracy still with a capital punishment system, and yes, I agree that the government of the USA is way to cozy to religion and the hostilities, it itself, preaches.

Answer 4

There are too many frivolous answers here to a serious problem that needs to be addressed. The tenfold increase in the prison population in the past 30 years or so is some of the best evidence of the increasingly conservative governments that have run the U S since the Vietnam war. The principle reason seems to be the obviously failed drug war which continues to incarcerate large numbers without noticeable effect in reducing the severity of the drug problem.

Answer 5

The fact that US is way ahead in ratio of people in jail shows there is more crime committed in the U.S. then elsewhere. Could this be because of more disparity between rich and poor classes? I think there is much less socialism than most other western countries, therefore my outsiders impression of the U.S. is that there is quite a gap, thus poor are living amongst so much affluence and are more likely to commit crimes and end up in jail. Rich are trying to protect their riches by living in gated communities. Guns seem to be found everywhere - most other western country major cities do not have even a tiny fraction of GSWs in their ER departments as in US cities - we don't even have that acronym. I think overall it is a society that is getting to be less free, worrying about protecting their own, patriot act, all these code colours warnings, the Panic Room (i mean CNN situation room), unreasonable drug laws, too many laws. True freedom comes when all citizens are not in fear, are affluent enough to not have to worry about their next meal, or their lives, and have basic access to free healthcare. A happy society has much less crime.

Answer 6

Just imagine years from now when theres twice as many laws
I predict there will come a time where every one would have atleast paid a fine or served sometime in prison. It's people like benvanzi ( the guy who answered above me) who need to leave this country was supposed to be based on freedom. You know it's bad when you need a law book to walk out the front door.

Answer 7

Freedom comes with a price because many people are not capable of living in a free society because they are not smart enough to handle it. We also have some laws that should be changed. Most of the people imprisoned in this country are there for drug related offenses like marijuana. At least 1/3 of the people imprisoned in the US should not really be there. Other countries also don't have their death row inmates imprisoned for 20 or more years either, they are sentenced and led directly to their death. I do not think, though, that we imprison more per capita than other countries though.

Answer 8

You are a 100% correct!

Most of those jailed committed drug felonies. This is due to our silly laws on drugs. First, legalize them, second, issue treatment to addicts. Addicts are not criminals at heart, it is typically an extension of use itself! At least classify them correctly. Marijuana is not the same class as cocaine and herion. Alcohol should be ranked higher than marijuana!

There is irony here. Our freedom is restricted in regards to drugs, but the demand for use puts us in jail. you are exactly correct!

Vote Ron Paul and get some sensibility on the issue!

Happy Holidays!

Answer 9

It is ironic. We hear only what we are supposed to hear in mainstream news markets -that we are the most democratic, free country in the world..no longer true since the Patriot act-a contradiction in terms frankly, there is nothing patriotic about much of it. Many of our civil liberties like freedom of assembly..Americans labeled as enemy combatants;denying them due process of law..Our Civil liberites are being eroded away as we speak...I long for the days of the recent past when America was a truly free country....I miss her...

Answer 10

State your source of your claim as I don't believe it.

Also, you don't discuss the differences in prisons. China has a pretty good detriment to crime with their hard labor camps. Iran has the good old death by stoning and hanging bit to keep people from petty crime. Turkey has torture.

Most African countries have very little social law and law is meted by the citizens directly.

To say that America imprisons more people ignores the truth and the other factors of social control.