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| US prison popul. highest in world; ratio highest in history, leads China | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 28 2008, 06:12 PM (214 Views) | |
| riverwatcher | Feb 28 2008, 06:12 PM Post #1 |
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in case you missed it, from today's yahoo news: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080228/ap_on_re_us/prison_population;_ylt=AjiK11CEmvga62YXa_Nri7Ws0NUEa a few highlights: "For the first time in U.S. history, more than one of every 100 adults is in jail or prison, according to a new report documenting America's rank as the world's No. 1 incarcerator. The report said the 50 states spent more than $49 billion on corrections last year, up from less than $11 billion 20 years earlier (just under a 400% incr). The rate of increase for prison costs was six times greater than for higher education spending. Four states — Vermont, Michigan, Oregon and Connecticut — now spend more on corrections than they do on higher education, the report said. "These sad facts reflect a very distorted set of national priorities," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, referring to the full report. "Perhaps, if we adequately invested in our children and in education, kids who now grow up to be criminals could become productive workers and taxpayers." "...one in 30 men between the ages of 20 and 34 is behind bars, for black males in that age group the figure is one in nine." "...the United States incarcerates more people than any other nation, far ahead of more populous China with 1.5 million people behind bars (for a population 4x that of the US). It said the U.S. also is the leader in inmates per capita (750 per 100,000 people), ahead of Russia (628 per 100,000) and other former Soviet bloc nations. The U.S. also is among the world leaders in capital punishment. According to Amnesty International, its 53 executions in 2006 were exceeded only by China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq and Sudan." (2007 totals, which were on pace to top 2006, were down due to delays caused by the Supreme Court reviewing the legality of lethal injections.) what's wrong with this picture? This has to have a distorting affect on certain federal reports. Unemployment, for example, may be a tolerable figure (although I believe it is growing), but that does not account for millions in prison (or the significant population serving in illegal wars). It also demonstrates the results of our police state tactics. Around here, the cops don't patrol for dealers or make busts around the McMansions, suburbs, golfcourse- and lakeside-palaces, only the inner city & public housing. It didn't mention the rascism and discrimination that permeates ever facet of police-judicial-penal systems and policies. Good thing I was born the "right" color. Incarcerating has become an American domain; a pasttime, like yard sales and lemonade stands. We're getting so good at it, we're exporting the practice and know-how to other countries, after we show them how to do it right long enough. there is info out there on the profiteering and exploitation of the booming prison industry: http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1595581677/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt/105-4339913-6691669?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 good one on Bushies' laughing all the way to the bank over prison contracts http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_professo_070531_who_is_keeping_tabs_.htm SC suspends further executions pending review of LI's legality http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/17/america/NA-Supreme-Court-Executions.php Last thought: General Electric, which owns CBS and Universal Pictures, along with making billions as a defense contractor for aircraft engines and nuclear submarine contracts, also owns a subsidiary that makes and sells video surveillance equipment- a hot item for security and detention contracts. Now, do you think you'll hear anything about this record- esp of any depth or investigating - esp negative - on CBS? or any other mainstream(= soldout) news outlet? |
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| Q | Mar 1 2008, 07:19 AM Post #2 |
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A Higher Evolution
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Please note that none of that money is spent on "corrections". It is spent on the gratuitous punishing of bodies. |
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| kermit | Mar 5 2008, 05:00 AM Post #3 |
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wow. That is impressive america:) well done.(snigger snigger) sorry, I shouldn't be so mean... |
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| JimBob | Mar 6 2008, 02:38 PM Post #4 |
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Trolls R Us
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I hear lots of complaints on other sites about the free counseling and education that some prisoners get. Wouldn't this be considered corrections? |
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8:01 PM Jul 10