The Number Game

The New York Times is reporting today that 1 in 100 adults in the United States is incarcerated. That's 1.6 million people in prison. The ramifications of this are completely mind boggling.

First, it shows that the United States justice system has a severe racial divide. One in 36 Hispanics and one in 15 African-Americans behind bars. There's consistent talk in the mainstream that America is on its way being colorblind; the strength of the Obama campaign is a testament to this colorblindness. But how can that be the case when there are such severe divisions in who is incarcerated in the United States?

Second, the amount of spending that goes into the prison system is utterly absurd. On average, the cost to imprison someone is $23,876 a year. System wide, the United States prison system requires $44 billion in tax money. Is it really worth that much in citizens money to fund a failing system?

The correction system is failing. Many imprisoned are repeat offenders, who, rather than be rehabilitated consistently commit nonviolent crimes that land them back in jail.

So what can be done?

The first thing would be to decriminalize drugs. A large number of the incarcerated are there because of drug related issues. By decriminalizing prisoners who are in the system for use or possession, would instead have to attend rehab and conduct community service. Also, by decriminalizing a number of violent crimes that are related to drug trafficking would also diminish due to the semi-legalization of the trade.

This would greatly reduce the prison population and reduce spending within the prison system. In general, the prison system would benefit from an emphasis on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.