[pefloresjr]

So if a guilty verdict is almost a miracle, how in the world is it that we have a higher percentage of our population in prison than any other country (except for some with which we really don't want to compare ourselves)? This is a conundrum that has bothered me for a long time. Are Americans that much worse than other people?  :(

Nearly all of the people in jail are there because of guilty pleas.  As for the big question, I think that Americans have long had a strong punishment or even revenge attitude when it comes to crime.  We also have a very strong system when it comes to defendant's rights.  When a defendant gets off "on a technicality" people tend to react emotionally and politicians respond accordingly.  The standard time for crimes almost never gets reduced by politicians.  Since the tax revolt that started in the 80's, it seems to me that less is spent on education and intervention than on the punishment part of the equation.  This is all happening at a time when there are fewer and fewer family and community forces keeping behavior in line.  I don't for a second think that those who commit crimes should be excused because we haven't done enough for them, but I do think that it is worth it to use some of my tax dollars trying to prevent crime rather than just punishing crime. 

There are no easy answers, just difficult problems.  I think we would have a better chance of finding solutions if both sides of the political spectrum embraced moderates who were looking for practical solutions rather than political victories. 

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

So if a guilty verdict is almost a miracle, how in the world is it that we have a higher percentage of our population in prison than any other country (except for some with which we really don't want to compare ourselves)? This is a conundrum that has bothered me for a long time. Are Americans that much worse than other people?  :(

Nearly all of the people in jail are there because of guilty pleas.  As for the big question, I think that Americans have long had a strong punishment or even revenge attitude when it comes to crime.  We also have a very strong system when it comes to defendant's rights.  When a defendant gets off "on a technicality" people tend to react emotionally and politicians respond accordingly.  The standard time for crimes almost never gets reduced by politicians.  Since the tax revolt that started in the 80's, it seems to me that less is spent on education and intervention than on the punishment part of the equation.  This is all happening at a time when there are fewer and fewer family and community forces keeping behavior in line.  I don't for a second think that those who commit crimes should be excused because we haven't done enough for them, but I do think that it is worth it to use some of my tax dollars trying to prevent crime rather than just punishing crime. 

There are no easy answers, just difficult problems.  I think we would have a better chance of finding solutions if both sides of the political spectrum embraced moderates who were looking for practical solutions rather than political victories. 

Cheers,
Pete F.