One in Every 31 US Citizens is in Federal or State Prison, Local Jail, on Probation or on Parole

Jim Webb is one US Senator that acts like an adult. His new legislation, The National Criminal Justice Act of 2009, is a step in the right direction. Clearly, the incarceration rates in this country are unacceptable. As a bulwark of so-called democracy and freedom, for our country to warehouse nearly 25% of the world’s reported prisoners is appalling.

Often the path of least resistance is just to build more prisons when confronted with complicated issues of crime, punishment and rehabilitation. We have increasingly privatized prisons in our country. Over 35 states now have contracts with private companies to build prisons. Warehousing human beings in the jails is often one the largest budgetary outlays for state governments. Prisons often provide welcomed employment opportunities to depressed rural segments of our country. We currently incarcerate 756 inmates per 100,000 residents, a rate nearly five times the average worldwide of 158 for every 100,000. Local, state, and federal spending on corrections adds up to about $68 billion a year. The vast majority of individuals in our jails or criminal justice system are non-violent drug offenders. Many of our prison population are mentally ill. The Pew Center for the States has prepared a very sobering and comprehensive study. Something needs to be done.

Senator Webb’s proposed legislation is a good start.