With so many behind bars for drug charges at a time when the legalization of marijuana spreads across the country, Americans are paying more attention to the question, “Why do we have so many prisoners?” With 25 percent of the world’s prisoners being Americans in U.S. prisons, this question deserves the attention. This infographic explores and contextualizes the ins and outs of mass incarceration in the United States:
Simple, profit… Privatize the prisons, guarantee 90 to 100% population and what do you have…
wow, pictures say it so clearly, what a waste of money, human potential and what an industry… how come voters don’t get it… marcia
These graphs are very potent. I hope you can find a way to get them to elected officials, and mass media. I will see if I can successfully forward to Mainers Against Solitary Confinement, an effective organization here dealing with a variety of prison issues. Jon
Thank you for sharing the reality of imprisonment in our nation. I urge people to watch this video by an ex-Los Angeles narcotics agent to “see” what is really happening–The wealthy at the top of the drug chain get richer and richer, while those on the streets are incarcerated or shot, as our prisons become more and more privatized. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rFWDHQcIG8 VERY MUCH worth the “watch”!
Yes I agree with Phyllis it applies everywhere. The asylum seekers who pay every penny they own to find a free country are incarcerated by Australia, whilst the ones who run the racket get richer and richer.
Same goes down-under with regards to drugs, the big boys get away with it, the suckers making a little cash are caught and imprisoned.
Rich men dodge taxes with Trusts and helpful lawyers, the poor pay through the nose and if they fiddle a few bucks end up in prison.
‘It’s the same the whole world over, isn’t it a blooming shame? (old Music Hall song) It’s the rich wot get the money and the poor wot get the blame!’
Criminal justice system is a huge job program that includes lawyers, probation officers, guards, prison administration, etc. etc. Public safety is not the objective, $$ is.