Hey don't link us Muslims to that...

Wagner · #11 08-15-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric5273

From the encyclopedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_r..._United_States

As of 2004 the United States had the highest percentage of people in prison of any nation. At a rate of incarceration of 726 inmates per 100,000, the United States has the highest reported rate in the world, well ahead of the Russian rate of 532 per 100,000. In 2004, more than 2.1 million Americans, or roughly 1 out of every 138, were in prisons or jails, a figure which represented one third of the world's prison population. To illustrate these figures, if the United States had the same rate of incarceration as Japan or China, only about 100,000 people would be in jail.

So we have less than 5% of the world's total population, but 33% of the world's prison population.

Probably has a lot to do with th United States simply not shooting people in the street. Take a look at other countries and see how they deal with crime. The United States is one of the few that actually will imprison people. Other nations simply kill them and call it a day. That is the difference. It is easy to say 'this country has the highest prison poplulation' when you don't have to quote what numbers other nations simply take out of the game.

Another note:
Can't remember the exact amount of days but Britain can hold you in jail without charges for weeks, the USA only has 48 hours before they have to let you go.