America's prison population

[LucyR]

I found this article interesting. I would appreciate hearing other people's comments.

Are these sort of statistics of any importance to the average law-abiding citizen?


US prison population (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/2925973.stm)

[Richard G]

No.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Richard G
No.

I would say there are political implications in these figures, and that many of the prisoners would be 'political' prisoners.

There are many implications for the average US citizen. Tulia should be ringing a bell, for example.

[LucyR]

Originally posted by a_unique_person


I would say there are political implications in these figures, and that many of the prisoners would be 'political' prisoners.



Please elaborate.

[Baggle]

Personally, I wish they'd reform drug laws. I'm not so sure about decriminalizing or legalizing addictive drugs, but as for the non-addictive ones(like marijuana), I say let it flow and release any non-violent mj offenders. I'd be willing to bet that doing this would help to curb the prison population problem at least a bit.

Don't want this thread to turn into another, "Legalize it now!," thread, as most of us who will comment on the issue already know everybody else's stance, but this is my opinion on the matter at hand.

-Baggle

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by LucyR


Please elaborate.

Drug laws, for example. The tough on crime attitude. These are all meant to get people elected, without consideration for those who actually have to spend the time in jail. Racism also appears to a factor.

[EvilYeti]

Originally posted by LucyR

Are these sort of statistics of any importance to the average law-abiding citizen?


It depends if that average citizen is concerned about non-violent drug offenders being locked up.

I am, but as drug prohibition is the one topic that conservatives and liberals seem to agree on I don't forsee that policy changing anytime soon.