more people than any other country.

According to a recent supreme court ruling, overcrowding is creating unsafe, unsanitary, violent condition

Medical and mental healthcare has been compromised

So how do we get here? Why are so many U.S. citizens in prison?

Within the last 40 years, the prison population in the U.S. has risen by 700 percent.

This is largely due to changes made in drug sentencing laws that started in the 1970s. The zero-

tolerance narcotic policies resulted in a dramatic increase in prison numbers. Nearly half of

federal inmates and 16 percent of state inmates are locked-up on drug-related charges.

Long sentences and mandatory minimums are also a factor. Many states have variations

on the “three-strikes” law, where repeat offenders automatically receive life sentences

for their third felony. Rules have stayed in place despite studies showing that longer prison sentences

and higher incarceration rates have little effect on reducing crime.

These policies disproportionately affect minorities. According to the NAACP about 58% of

the male prison population is made up of African Americans and Hispanics,yet these

minorities make up only a quarter of the American population. Racial minorities are more likely

to be arrested and convicted and once convicted they often face harsher sentencing than their

white counterparts. (21)

A more recent development affecting prison overcrowding has been the growing number of

privatised institutions. For-profit companies now run many prisons in the U.S. These companies

are typically contracted by the government on the strength of affirmations that they will uphold

the rights and welfare of inmates, all while saving taxpayers money.

However, a 2013 report from anti-privatisation group, In the Public Interest, recently

investigated these prison contracts. Out of a total of 62 contracts, more than half (41)

had quotas stating that prisons must have 80 - 100 percent occupancy at all times. If the state

and local governments fail to meet the quota they often pay thousands, sometimes millions

in taxpayer money, for unused beds. Which means it’s in the state’s interest to keep prisons full

regardless of whether or not crime rates are falling.

According to the report, Louisiana, for example, is locked into prison contracts with some

of the highest occupancy quotas in the country, earning the nickname of the “world’s prison

capital.” It’s reported they have an incarceration rate nearly five times Iran's and 13 times

China's. This is partially because in addition to private companies, Louisiana sheriffs are

reportedly also profiting off of prisoners.

In the early 1990s the state encouraged sheriffs to build more local jails in order to reduce

overcrowding, in return they would receive cash incentives. Now, according to The Times-

Picayune (pick-ah-YUNE) there are more inmates in local jails than in state prisons despite the

fact that the state offers better re-entry programs.

Overcrowding has been exacerbated by the lack of a nationwide mental illness support

system. The deinstitutionalization of mental health care in the 60s and 70s, left many patients

with no where to go. Now more than half of the prison population is made of those with

a history of mental health problems.

Most experts agree that major prison reforms are needed on a state and national level,

and programs like the ‘Smart Crime Initiative’ have attempted to rebalance drug sentencing laws.

But as long as prisons are still working on a for-profit model, companies and states will benefit

from arresting and detaining US citizens.

Although it’s different in every state, the death penalty is still a hotly debated issue

Check this video out from our friends at DNews to learn more about the debate. And be

Another centerpiece of 216 page report is discussion about executing the innocents, you know, just casual dinner chatter.

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