On Crime

The United States constitutes about 4% of the world’s population but incarcerates 16 % of the world’s ‘criminals’; some two million altogether, more than any country in the world.  Is this because we have more bad guys, more effective police system, and our streets are safer? Umm.

–       We have 22 Federal penitentiaries in America, 74 Federal Correctional Institutions, 8 private Correctional Institutions, 7 Federal Prison Camps and 19 Administrative Facilities, employing nearly 37,000 with an annual budget of over $9 Billion. 

–      In addition, there are state prisons in every state and countless jails.

• The average annual cost of incarcerating one person is over $39,000.

–       Today there are 44 inmates on death row (19 White, 17 Black, 7 Latino, 1 Asian). Some have been on death row for 25 years.

–       Many ‘criminals’ are held on rather minor charges.

According to a recent book by former Attorney General Bill Barr:

o   A 1982 study found that 240 criminals were responsible for ½ million crimes over an 11-year period!

o   Another study found that 10% of prisoners in State facilities committed 600 crimes in one year. 

o   A California study found just 3.5% of male prisoners committed 60% of crimes of the whole group.

It seems a tiny cohort of chronic offenders is disproportionately responsible for a large majority of predatory violence.

Clearly, the “Catch and Release” policy in many places is badly flawed. Inadequate budgets or lack of prison space does not seem to be acceptable justification, nor sound policy.

Blacks are 13% of the population but are responsible for 37% of all homicides and robberies. In 2020/2021, 75% of homicide victims were Black and the majority of perpetrators in this were also Black. The leading cause of death of 18 to 30 year old Black males is homicide. Perhaps much of this can be attributed to the breakdown of family structure, poor educational facilities, and denial of opportunity.

Whites commit 25% of violent crimes each year, Blacks about 37% – – – about 25% of these are victims of the police. Harvard economist Roland Fryer studied 1392 shootings and concluded that racial bias was not evident in these cases. Statistics may be a better explanation than racial prejudice.

Clearly our justice system is badly in need of reform:

1.    Far too many repeat offenders are prematurely released, and probably too many minor offenders remain incarcerated who should be released and rehabilitated. We don’t do a good job distinguishing between the two.

2.    A heavy cost is born by the taxpayer when inmates are kept unnecessarily long.  One inmate on death row (or anywhere) for 25 years costs taxpayers $1,000,000. Inmates should be made to cover their cost of incarceration to the extent possible. 

3.    Keeping criminals on death row for decades is a sad and costly practice.

4.    It is vitally important that anyone accused of a crime receive competent and comprehensive justice. And it is in the interest of both the taxpayers and the victims that the process be as speedy as possible. Due process must be overhauled and expedited.

5.    In 2020 police in the U.S. numbered close to 700,000. No doubt there will be a few mistakes and a few rogues in a number this large, but overall, they do an outstanding job protecting us – – – when we let them. The police should be strengthened, well compensated, and respected for the important and dangerous job they undertake.

6.    Finally, and perhaps most importantly. While we have come a long way in improving and extending quality education (such as it is) to all and providing advancement opportunities for all Americans, there is more to be done for the disadvantaged in all races, White, Black and Latino. 

–       – – Just the view of a common man

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