
“America has around 5% of the world’s population, and 25% of its prisoners. Roughly one in every 107 American adults is behind bars, a rate nearly five times that of Britain, seven times that of France and 24 times that of India. Its prison population has more than tripled since 1980. The growth rate has been even faster in the federal prison system: from around 24,000—its level, more or less, from the 1940s until the early 1980s—to more than 219,000 today. Probably the biggest driver of this growth has been ever-harsher drug penalties.”
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/08/economist-explains-8
Related posts:
Nancy Pelosi sends fifth letter on Syria
Marc Faber: Prepare for a Massive Market Meltdown
Cryptocurrency backed by gold being developed by Perth Mint
Hong Kong's first bitcoin shop opens in Sai Ying Pun
IRS Data Web Snares Mostly Low- and Middle-Income Taxpayers
Senate passes debt-ceiling increase in blow to tea party
Work in U.S. and Spain losing its appeal for Latin Americans
Tibetan mastiff twins sell for record-breaking $3 million in China
No proof that helmets prevent concussion: experts
Arrested Bitcoin Mogul Charlie Shrem Defiant In First Public Appearance
C.I.A. Is Said to Pay AT&T for Call Data
Do US drone kills need an oversight board? How would it work?
Military Plans to Maintain Power in Egypt after Coup
Psychologists say not joining Facebook is 'suspicious'
U.S. citizens ditch passports in record numbers