Why does the United States have more people in jail per capita than any other country including China?

Question

The United Stated "prides" itself on being the "model of democracy". In fact, the United States is "spreading" democracy as we speak.

If the United States is supposed to have more freedoms than any other country in the world, why do we have more people in jail?

Answer 1

I am sorry but what does having or spreading democracy or freedom have to do with having more prisoners per capita?  While there will always be the wrongfully or unjustly accused in jails around the globe, most prisoners (including those in the US) did commit crimes and are justly incarcerated for their crimes.  On the other hand, I , an American citizen who happens to be Chinese, can completely disappear (jail, labor camp, firing squad, other?) in China for preaching the Gospel of Christ.  Last time I checked, this has not taken place, in a large scale, here in the US.  I have the freedom to preach and you have the freedom to either accept or reject.  But, if I was caught forcefully banging my Bible on your head, I've violated freedom and, therefore, justly deserve punishment.  If that is jail time, than, so be it.  It has nothing to do with your or my understanding of freedom or democracy.

Answer 2

"Drug War"

Answer 3

War on drugs... has sent a lot of people to jail.

Answer 4

Well most other countries actually punish law breakers and administer their brand of justice to the offender for things as petty as a woman not wearing a burka over he head or for being a Christian. They shoot them in the back of the head on the spot. We tend to baby our prisoners so repeat offenders view prison as a free meal, free medical, and three hot meals a day, TV, Internet, Libraries, exercise yards and the perks go on. They get a break from society and bills, jobs, and responsibility. Why do you think we have ore prisoners?

Answer 5

Because there are people looking to break the law so they can live an easier life, aka drug dealers make much more money than the typical inner city resident. It's easier to become a drug dealer than it is to become an educated person.

Answer 6

Christian Law.....

The US is in an 1800 time warp still when it comes to values.

The war on drugs = your jail population

Answer 7

We have more people in jail,because we have a court system that is the biggest scam ever created.People in this country love to tell you how fearful they are to walk down the sidewalks.Lock them up they cry out,and in a few years there back on the streets,but now smarter,angry,and most all branded by there crime,forced to do illegal things,because no one is going to employ someone who has a criminal back ground.So the numbers go up,because we the so called Christian nation,that hate.more than forgiving,or better yet a country that cares only about themselves,and d**n the rest of them.Let's just care for those living in Iraq,Afghanistan,and all the other d**n countries we rush to help.How about helping that young man in prison get his life back.Some people need to be locked up,but 85% of those in prison are non-violent crimes,and we spend over 65 billion dollars every year to protect those from people who are non-violent.

Answer 8

Their police have the balls to catch the crooks rather than preying on motorists and people riding their bicycles on the path, and worrying they may get  a bruise or their hats will fall off. Coupled with the fact they don't waste 99.9% of the tax payers money on kitchens from john lewis, thus they can afford to build places to keep them in.

Answer 9

Freedom does not give one the right to commit crimes.  We have more people in jail because we have more criminals.

Answer 10

We have the freedom s to go to jail.  Unlike some of those other 2nd and 3rd world countries that will execute you for crimes that we won't here.  Then of course you have those industrialized Socialist countries that believe in protecting criminals more than they believe in protecting citizens.

Answer 11

Because most of them are illegal immigrants. Or haven't you heard about the problems we have with them in our boarder states?

Answer 12

Because if you commit a crime in China, they kill you.

Answer 13

Because of a little ol thing in China called a FIRING SQUAD.