September 4, 2007

Prison statistics

For those who answered the prison question, if you answered 25%, you are right. The US has 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s prisoners. One out of every 142 Americans is in prison – and this does not include military prisons or INS jails. The war on drugs, launched during President Reagan’s first term, bears much of the blame. Between 1980 and 2000, a period during which the US population grew by 21%, the number of state and federal inmates soared by 312%.

The US, "the land of the free," has the biggest prison population in the world and the highest rate of prisoners per capita of all countries – including countries that President Bush believes need liberating by US armed forces.

3 comments:

Lisa said...

I voted 25 percent.

For the record. For what it's worth. Just so you know. In case you were wondering. To answer your question. For your information. If it helps to know.

Dud.

linnette said...

very astute

SoCalT said...

Isn't it funny how much money we have spent since 1980 on the "War on Drugs" yet supply continues to meet demand?

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