Comments on: Comments on 5685

Post number 5685

netbros — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 08:22:47 -0800

According to the exponential math of a Brown University study , if the prison population were to continue growing at the current rate, by 2053 the United States would actually have more people in prison than out. Newsweek tackles "Abuse In America: The War on Addiction." Are drug courts a sensible solution, or just another bandaid?

By: ljromanoff

ljromanoff — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 10:58:22 -0800

Clearly nonviolent criminals have no business in prison. And Brown has no business issuing studies if these are the usual sort of conclusions they're making.

By: dws

dws — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 12:25:10 -0800

A catchy quote, but something else taught in college statistics classes is that population growth curves aren't exponential (though they may appear that way at first). Eventually, limits to growth kick in and the curve flattens.

By: sonofsamiam

sonofsamiam — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 13:17:33 -0800

And 53 years is a long time away. I'm not impressed.

By: sudama

sudama — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 16:11:36 -0800

The statistic, while not predictive, illustrates the insanity of our current laws and practices. The rate of incarceration (by any measure) is out of all proportion to the rate of crime (by any measure). As I pointed out in another thread, we as a society live with an inculcated sense of fear -- similarly out of proportion to the crime rate -- that leads us to support draconian consequences (three strikes, mandatory minimum) for minor offenses.

By: citizensoldier

citizensoldier — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 18:02:10 -0800

Thank God that in the US of A nothing is ever carried to its logical conclusion.

By: passionblack

passionblack — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 18:06:34 -0800

After reading a magazine article this weekend, about how 20% of drug users make up 70% of the prison population (blacks and hispanics, poor). But 80% of drug users make up 80% of rehab facilities (white and wealthy). I'm beginning to rethink this prison situation.

By: xammerboy

xammerboy — Mon, 05 Feb 2001 19:32:32 -0800

California currently spends more money on prisons than on higher education. What does that say about our priorities?

By: ljromanoff

ljromanoff — Tue, 06 Feb 2001 09:49:49 -0800

California currently spends more money on prisons than on higher education. What does that say about our priorities? It says to me that the government should get out of the business of education as soon as possible.