It’s truly sad that we have so many citizens imprisoned. The problem is not “true” crimes; its drug offensives. If we want to have fewer inmates then we need to get over our social stigmata of drug use in the USA.
How many of those 1 in 36 Hispanics are illegal aliens? This article is very misleading - not all of the imprisoned individuals are American citizens, which skews the numbers considerably.
This is the same type of reporting that informed the world how the United States’ infant mortality rate was high. It is not; the way the numbers are gathered appear that way. In fact, our infant mortality rate is quite low.
This is a garbage piece, printed only as part of an agenda.
4. June Bug February 29th, 2008 - 8:04 am
The story leaves out one key point of analysis. Of the total prison population, what percentage is comprised of illegal immigrants?
5. Juan February 29th, 2008 - 8:12 am
Bubba is sure happy with more girl friends to choose from.
6. ralphy February 29th, 2008 - 8:19 am
Well, considering that the average criminal element is 5%, I would say there is a LOT of work to do- 4% are still on the loose. Imprison criminals, and stop disarming innocent Americans and raping us out of our birthright, cheap scum democrats!!
7. Captain February 29th, 2008 - 9:00 am
Stew: At what point in time will we say “well we don’t incarcerate for drugs, why do we incarcerate for stealing less than $10…then after that, well it was only sexual assault, not rape…then well only attempted murder, he didn’t even hurt him”.
If you lower the standards on what is acceptable behavior, I guarantee people will meet that goal every time!
8. Matt February 29th, 2008 - 9:08 am
In my county the correction system is used as a revenue source for the government. If you get arrested it will cost you $1,000 or so to start, $35/day room and board. When released you begin weekly payments as part of probation (for which you also pay administrative fees). Additional restrictions generally allow for rearrest for pretty flimsy reasons (associating with known felons at the job you have to have). The jail is always full no matter how many times they expand capacity.
Not to mention that our elected officials make more and more things against the law. I just found out last week I have been breaking one. Great. Now I am subject to prosecution. I visited the website, read the law, they make no allowance. If I’m lucky, I will only be assesed a penalty, and a fee. What else? An audit? A knock on the door by Officer Friendly? Who knows?
I used to end a screed like this with VOTE REPUBLICAN. Now what? Move to Poland?
9. Jezebelle February 29th, 2008 - 9:13 am
Captain… Stew is absolutely RIGHT! Your reply makes no sense because they have nothing to do with one another! I believe Stew is talking about “victimless crime”. If someone chooses to smoke some weed, are they hurting you personally? If the government would get their heads out of their a***s, they would see that legalizing drugs would take down the cartels, not to mention crimes would no longer be committed in order to get the money for drugs, etc. You have to look at the bigger, wider picture…. not just what’s been drilled into you head from the government. Remember Prohibition and how well that worked? Same thing.
10. bobknob February 29th, 2008 - 9:21 am
If the voters keep electing Lawyers as our Lawmakers, more Laws will be created.
The more laws you have, the more Lawbreakers you’ll have. The more Lawbreakers you have, the more business is created for the Lawyers. More money is collected from the Lawbreakers and that’s the bottom line.
When the prison’s are full, they’ll over-crowd them. When they become too overcrowed and are just about to bust, they’ll build more.
Judges, Lawyers and other Destroyers.
Kiss your Liberties goodbye. Because you no longer have Freedom, just Liberties you pay for.
11. Free Thinker February 29th, 2008 - 9:41 am
Stew is right. Various sources place the prison population of drug offenders (more for marijuana use and distribution than any other drug) at nearly 60%. Many of these people were otherwise law-abiding, tax-paying, productive citizens contributing to the overall good of society. When we stop policing (and incarcerating) our neighbors for these sort of “offenses,” we will notice a huge decline in prisoners and associated costs (like the burgeoning policing authorities now on every corner), as well as an increase in the financial stability and independence of their families. Irene is also right. We will never again get the whole, fair, and balanced story from the media in our lifetimes (journalistic integrity is a thing of the past), only what certain individuals (those who stand to gain - follow the money) want us to hear and fear. We simply must start analyzing what we hear, and learn to check the facts before making knee-jerk assessments in regard to the “ills” of our society.
12. bipolardisordernaclerio February 29th, 2008 - 9:46 am
What is especially overlooked in this article is the fact that the overall crime rate has dropped in direct ratio to the number of criminals incarcerated. It certainly seems (at least here in New York City) that the improved safety of the public environment has created a healthier way of life for its unrecognized, law abiding residents.
I do not miss the overwhelming crime statistics of the 1970’s or 1980’s.
13. Free Thnker February 29th, 2008 - 9:56 am
Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Dang, Bipolar, I urge you to read and take to heart what I just wrote. Incarcerating drug offenders and populating police stations had very little to do with the decrease in crime. Most of that, my friend, was due to legalized abortion and the elimination of unwanted children. Unwanted children = future criminals.
Please check the facts before spouting media-driven drivel.
14. bobknob February 29th, 2008 - 10:02 am
Free Thnker
Yes. Something legal I can still live with.
15. Free Thinker February 29th, 2008 - 10:05 am
Bobknob, you just made me laugh out loud.
They might get our bods, but never our minds, right?
16. bobknob February 29th, 2008 - 10:18 am
We can keep our minds as long as the American “sheeple” can see the evil in RFID chipping people. Medical records. Please! Onstar for Idiots.
17. RightStuff February 29th, 2008 - 10:47 am
I wonder how things are in Iran? I’ll bet the ratio is better. Know why? They KILL criminals there.
ralphy, you are right on target with your percentages. I’ve always said that 15% of any group is nuts (and probably vote for democrats), and 5% don’t even know what planet they are on.
18. pollster man February 29th, 2008 - 11:20 am
Can somebody tell me if this Democratic base will be able to vote from the Big House??? Maybe they will just give them all a furlough?
19. jb February 29th, 2008 - 11:26 am
Most judges are not in favor of the 3 strikes law. It removes any discretionary judgement — same sentence required if you kill someone or steal a slice of pizza. And the only way to clear out the prisons is to de-criminalize drug possession. It will “take the money out of the cycle”. No one will rob you to get a drug. Yea, I know, not politically possible because it is another “3rd rail of politics. Touch it and your dead. So let’s build more prisons….yea, more tax dollars to joil instead of education, health care etc. Makes sense.
20. walt wilson February 29th, 2008 - 11:39 am
What more do you need to know. Crime has gone down as a % of population growth. More blacks have been put away above their % of population! More black criminals = more blacks caught and convicted!
Pretty clear to me. If you don’t understand it it is because you don’t want to.
They think stretching lips and necks is so cool. Join the 21st century blacks although it is mentally impossible!!
