Prisons and Populations 2

Attitudes toward prisons are one of those things that constitute the cultural divide in America. The left sees prisons as a social failure. A better society would address the root causes of crime, and so few if any prisons would be needed. When people do commit crimes, gentler means of correction can be found. The right thinks that the root cause of crime is criminals, and criminals are a persistent product of human nature. Gentleness towards brutal people does not produce encouraging results. The right is closer to the truth (what else would you expect me to say), but as they say, the issue is complicated.

Slate has a fine piece by John Pfaff: "Five Myths about Prison Growth." Pfaff begins by saying that the growth of prison populations has to be cut back. He is probably right about that. But I am guessing that most of the myths he demolishes are myths dear to the left.

Here is the gist.

It is a myth that long sentences drive prison growth. The average prison sentence served is about two years.

Low-level drug offenders do not make up a significant portion of the prison population. Only about 20% of prisoners are there for drug-related offenses, and most of those are dealers, not users.

Technical parole violations do not drive prison growth.

Recent trends in prison growth do not represent a divergence from other nations. The U.S. has always been harsher towards criminals than most other nations.

Contrary to liberal dogma, the increase in incarceration rates has resulted in a decrease in crime rates. Other factors have to be considered. But Pfaff says that the increase in prison populations is responsible for 30% of the decrease in crime.

This is food for thought. Half of the people in prison are there for violent crimes. Another 20% are there for property offenses. The object of penal policy is to protect law abiding citizens from criminals. It may be that we can do this more cheaply if we spend more on drug addiction treatment, etc. But we are fooling ourselves if we think that this will make more than a marginal difference.