Welcome to Prison, USA- Population 2,300,000

ABC news has a great report on the continuing growth of America’s prison population.

Here are the stats about Prison, USA-
1. America has 5% of the world’s population, and 25% of the world’s prison population.
2. 5% of ALL black males are in prison.
3. One out of every 133 Americans in in prison.
4. The American prison population is greater than the population of New Mexico.

The drug war is to blame for this mess. Prisons are not full because of a surge in violent offenders. Violent crime is down dramatically since 1993.

Federal prosecutions for violent crimes are at the same level as 1980. Drug prosecutions are up over 400% over the same period.

Labels: Prison, War On Drugs