[mugs99]

20% are there for drug related offenses (and 75% of those are black or Hispanic), and almost all of those are for trafficking or drug dealing.

The reference you linked to does not say that. The numbers range from 70% to over 80% depending on which source you want to believe. The fact is, more than 70% of prisoners are locked up for non-violent crimes, most for drug crimes or low level property crimes.

Your own reference shows that the state of Maryland alone has more citizens in prison and jail than all of Canada though Canada's population is six times greater.

This national disgrace is creating violent criminals. Those nonviolent offenders that we incarcerate in our brutal and dehumanizing prison industry return as the violent ex-cons you and so many others complain about.

Drugs aren't creating criminals...You are!
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[robertpaulsen]

"The reference you linked to does not say that."

Sure it does. It says that there's around 450,000 in prison on drug offenses out of 2,019,234 -- that's 22%.

Your 70-80% drug-related offenses include those who possessed drugs or were high on drugs when they committed the crime they were charged with. They'd be arrested even if drugs were legal, so I don't see how we can count them.

"The fact is, more than 70% of prisoners are locked up for non-violent crimes, most for drug crimes or low level property crimes."

Well, if 22% are drug crimes, then I guess the other 48% are for property crimes. Your point?

"Drugs aren't creating criminals...You are!"

People make choices. Criminals made the wrong choice. I don't see how that's my fault.