lock 'em up

Most industrialized western countries have about 100 citizens behind bars for every 100,000 population.

The United States has 737 citizens jailed per 100,000 population (7 times as many). We have 5% of the world's population and 1/4 of all the people incarcerated in the world.

Why? Do we have that many more criminals?

Is our penal system working?

Is it successful as retribution or punishment?

Is it successful as a deterrent?

Is it successful at reform or rehabilitation?

Is it making society safer?

2 million of the 7 million incarcerated are locked up for non-violent drug related charges. These folks are clogging up the justice system. Does this make sense?

Judges who might otherwise give lighter sentences due to circumstantial factors have their hands tied by mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Does this make sense?

Is sentencing someone to life in prison without the possibility of parole more humane than killing them?

hmmm...

Here's an example of craziness... Richard Paey