Incarceration outside the United States

[Zasriel]

Recently there was a bit on John Oliver that talked about incarceration within the United States and how the "population" of the jails throughout the country can be more populous than the entire population of nations.

So my question is this...

How do other "First World" countries deal with crime and jail? Criminals can't ONLY be found in the United States. So how does say, England or Germany, deal with crime? What makes the US system so much more different than the others?

[Rukh]

Privatization. Jailing people for profit.

[Revi]

That's a huge question. Social, economic and cultural difference has a big influence on crime, so while criminals can be found everywhere, it's not in the same numbers. Then there's difference in what is considered criminal, which of course makes a huge difference. And then, once some is accused, there's big differences between how it's dealt with (push for plea bargains, opportunity for alternative sentences, minimum sentences, etc.), and then there's big difference in the prison systems themselves where you can focus on punishment or rehabilitation, profitability or quality.

And a whole host of other variables..

[StayTuned]

Recently there was a bit on John Oliver that talked about incarceration within the United States and how the "population" of the jails throughout the country can be more populous than the entire population of nations.

So my question is this...

How do other "First World" countries deal with crime and jail? Criminals can't ONLY be found in the United States. So how does say, England or Germany, deal with crime? What makes the US system so much more different than the others?

In Germany we don't send people to jail for minor shit like small drug possessions, and our incarnation times are much lower. I'd say for most parts our punishments fit the crimes a lot more than what's going on in the US.

[Dezerte]

More focus on rehabilitation I think is the key. But really, there are many other factors that contribute as well (culture, economic and social).

[Independent voter]

In the 90's there was a big spike in crime, everyone thought it was a trend and not just a spike so voters and politicians started passing more draconian laws. That's why so many are incarcerated, being the driver for a robbery in 1980 would get you three years, today it gets you 20 years.

So what has to happen is the reverse, politicians and voters have to start supporting a weakening of the laws, reducing the sentences. When was the last time anyone voted for a "soft on crime" politician?

[Netherspark]

You want the list?

For-profit prisons
Tough-on-crime politicians fishing for votes
War on drugs
3 strikes rule = life imprisonment for petty crimes
Poverty-stricken and run-down communities
Forced guilty pleas
Corruption

[artemishunter1]

In the 90's there was a big spike in crime, everyone thought it was a trend and not just a spike so voters and politicians started passing more draconian laws. That's why so many are incarcerated, being the driver for a robbery in 1980 would get you three years, today it gets you 20 years.

So what has to happen is the reverse, politicians and voters have to start supporting a weakening of the laws, reducing the sentences. When was the last time anyone voted for a "soft on crime" politician?

Not going to happen, neither should it happen to "reduce" incarceration. We spend too much money on per prisoner. Which has to stop, and that money should be diverted toward urban renewal. Stop the need for crime, to stop the crime (I sincerely believe most people don't commit crimes for shit and giggles)

- - - Updated - - -

You want the list?

For-profit prisons
Tough-on-crime politicians fishing for votes
War on drugs
3 strikes rule = life imprisonment for petty crimes
Poverty-stricken and run-down communities
Forced guilty pleas
Corruption

3 strike only works with FELONIES. Petty crimes would misdeamnor. So...