We have the highest incarceration levels of the industrial world. 2.5 million in our jails. I’d like to reserve that space for criminals that have actual victims.
That is less than 1% of the population. Sadly, I have little doubt the criminal population is considerably higher than that.
If I had to make the choice between releasing a low level crack dealer and a serial rapist, or child molester, I would without a doubt let the dealer go. However, we should not need to make that choice.