Why does America have so many people in prison compared to other countries?

[Jersovic]

I was going through the List of top international rankings by country and started laughing pretty hysterically when I scrolled down to America and came across "Most people in prison," and "Highest incarceration rate."

I'm some what baffled. How can a country that is so developed, and whose slogan is "Land of the Free" have more people in prison than any other nation on the planet?

Does America have too many laws? Do other countries not have enough laws? Is it because America's law enforcement agencies are that much more advanced than other countries? Do Americans, as a general rule of thumb, commit more crimes per capita? I really have no idea, and am interested in what you guys think. Especially the non-American posters.

[mistuhbull]

Ronald Reagan

That is why

[Wells]

Awful drug policies. Prison systems that breed reoffenders. Shitty welfare systems. Systemic racism in the justice system. Mandatory sentencing.

[Ferg]

War on Drugs

1/8th of our prisoners are in for nonviolent marijuana charges, for example

[bals]

draconian drug laws and the prison industry is a HUGE MONEY MAKER
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison%...strial_complex

[Reeve]

Ronald Reagan

That is why

"Old Mother Reagan
And her crew
She took away
From me and you!"
-The Violent Femmes

[Jayburner]

Scumbag lawyers/judges and police officers I'm guessing. They are all interchangeable.

[Kolymos]

You also forgot about privatization of the prison system, combined with crooked judges. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_924324.html

[Bolson13]

As a European I should say that my country also isnt perfect

[zorkuus]

Prisons are a business in the US. You figure out the rest.

[Deleted]

Private prisions, war on drugs and maybe war on terror.

[Wakwazu]

Because everyone's a Negative Nancy and hates happy.

[Verain]

Prisons are a business in the US. You figure out the rest.

+1

/10chars

[Reeve]

As a European I should say that my country also isnt perfect

Europe's a pretty big country. /wink

[Riidii]

War on drugs.

[Rédempteur]

Because they have a massive population compared to other countries? (China and India are omitted of course)

[Drakain]

Every discussion I've seen on this discussion has been inundated with misinformation.

The fact is we have extensive anti-drug policies and draconian enforcement in some jurisdiction. Also, the U.S. has a large population, so you'd expect us to have more prison then other, less populated countries.

[Tastyfish]

Prisons are a business in the US. You figure out the rest.

CORRECT!
It's good business to have people locked up!

[Sills]

Prisons are a business in the US. You figure out the rest.

Add in all of the people that are employed by the prison system. Judges, lawyers, cops, bail officers, prison guards, etc. A lot of people make a lot of money by keeping these people locked up. Doesnt help that there is no rehab in prison so when you come out you are likely to reoffend because you didnt receive any help or counselling while inside. It's treated more of a punishment rather than coupling punishment with rehabilitation. This just breeds reoffenders because you will leave a world full of criminals into a world that frowns on criminals. Your only option? Returning to a life of crime.

[Hitei]

I was going through the List of top international rankings by country and started laughing pretty hysterically when I scrolled down to America and came across "Most people in prison," and "Highest incarceration rate."

I'm some what baffled. How can a country that is so developed, and whose slogan is "Land of the Free" have more people in prison than any other nation on the planet?

Does America have too many laws? Do other countries not have enough laws? Is it because America's law enforcement agencies are that much more advanced than other countries? Do Americans, as a general rule of thumb, commit more crimes per capita? I really have no idea, and am interested in what you guys think. Especially the non-American posters.

Perhaps it is the idea of "Land of the Free" that causes people to make stupid choices that get them arrested.