Effective Decriminalization in Portugal

[Roy Hersh]

I had no idea. I'll admit that I am very surprised this took place in Portugal.

http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/is ... s_ss=email

What do you think of this?

[Moses Botbol]

The government is being practical with how they spend. Too many non-violent criminals end up in prison. Medical care is more appropriate than incarceration for the drug abusers. Seeing that prison is more & more privatized in USA, I don’t think there will be a push for this approach. Lobbyists will fight tooth and nail to ensure as many Americans are behind bars as possible.

So far, the Lobbyists have been effective. Almost 1% of USA population is behind bars and 3.2% are on probation, in jail/prison, or on parole.

[Peter W. Meek]

I think Moses has it right -- follow the money. As long as the people who write the laws (to be passed by tame congress-critters) derive their pay and power from the size of their departments, they will write laws that make their corner of the government bigger.

[Derek T.]

Almost 1% of USA population is behind bars

That's a staggering statistic!!

Here is the league table.

You guys in the USA definitely seem to be world champions at this game

[Peter W. Meek]

When comparing country to country, be careful for statistics skewed by execution as a form of punishment. If they're dead they aren't in prison. They also aren't a source of money or power for those who make the laws.

[Roy Hersh]

So far, the Lobbyists have been effective. Almost 1% of USA population is behind bars and 3.2% are on probation, in jail/prison, or on parole.

Who said there's no such thing as free lunch ... and I'm not talkin' about the inmates.