3% of US population behind bars, on parole or on probation last year

[Ted Striker]

Surprised nobody has posted this yet. If it has, my apologies.

What is the comparitive rate for other nations?

I'd say this rate is right on. Growing up I remember several bad apples (including relatives) that made their way into the system, most of them were pretty much assured of a life of crime by the 8th grade. Most of the brothers (black folks) that I went to school with had an even tougher time of it, either they ended up in a gang, or became the most outstanding individuals you could ever meet. An environment like that either shapes you into an amazing person or turns you down the wrong path. There didn't seem to be anything in between.

Considering the number of people that have gotten arrested, but not convicted, I'd say you could put that rate at 6%, at least.

Nowadays crime has steadily declined, you can go out at night without guys like Speer mad dogging you looking for trouble all the time. (Well most of the time you can). Many gangs have been marginalized but they are now back on the rise.

Going forward many states still need to redo their 3 strikes laws. If the third strike is a nonviolent offense then it shouldn't result in prison. However violent offenders should be locked up and the key thrown away.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2089913

[St Leo]

That's roughly the same number of people that voted for Nader in 2000.

Coincidence?

I think so.

[Nubclear]

Originally posted by St Leo
That's roughly the same number of people that voted for Nader in 2000.

Coincidence?

I don't think so.

[Ted Striker]

[Bosh]

How much of that is due to drug laws one wonders...

[David Floyd]

Yes, if we pardoned all non-violent drug offenders, and anyone convicted of a gambling and/or prostitution-related offense, I bet we'd see that percentage cut in half.

[Ted Striker]

Most of the people I know that got in trouble were because of drugs. Not necessarily the drugs themselves but they did other stuff like stealing, ripping off cars, jumping people, etc.


Hey Boshko, is that the chick from Kill Bill in your avatar?

[David Floyd]

Sure, I don't advocate pardoning people who committed crimes while high, just those who have been put in prison for either using or dealing.

[Bosh]

Hey Boshko, is that the chick from Kill Bill in your avatar?

Nope. Its the second-most psycho ***** from Battle Royale, one of the most entertaining movies ever made.

[Ramo]

There's about half a million nonviolent drug offenders in our prisons.

[Ted Striker]

Originally posted by David Floyd
Sure, I don't advocate pardoning people who committed crimes while high, just those who have been put in prison for either using or dealing.

word

[St Leo]

Originally posted by Boshko
Nope. Its the second-most psycho ***** from Battle Royale, one of the most entertaining movies ever made.

Yep. AKA The Chick From Kill Bill AKA Chiaki Kuriyama.

[David Floyd]

Ramo, does that include dealers or is it just users?

[Ramo]

Both.

[Ted Striker]

It's hard to say though for some of the big dealers, some of them can destroy an entire neighboorhood. But usually in that case there is alot of other crap you can get them on, but you want to get them out before it gets to that point.