Why is America having a prison boom?

[Romeo]

"America has a prison problem: Over two million people in this country live behind bars, the highest number in the world."
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-for-p...z2rlUkaGCT

[Alvin Colmes]

Because people commit crimes.....LOL!

[Spencer]

Read the New York Times

[999]

A few reasons:
1) Explosion of the drug trade coupled with a more punitive approach to drug related law enforcement.
2) Long term shutting down of state expenditure on social programs and welfare, meaning the financial incentive for crime is higher than the incentive to get an education and work
3) Many prisons have been privatized, with profitability now a concern. The more incarcerated bodies, the higher the revenue for private prison operators. They then lobby lawmakers to make law enforcement more punitive in order to increase profit rates.
4) Exploitation of public fear by politicians. The media creates an idea that society is dangerous and crime ridden (this gets ratings), politicians play on these sentiments by promising to get "tough on crime". Judges and attorneys face similar pressures.

[honestamerican]

The 'war on drugs' that incarcerates a lot of people over marijuana laws.

[toddrick]

The legal system is a cash cow for governments....corps....lawyers etc

[Ryde,0n]

0bamanomics breeds crime .

[YB Logical]

There are many instances of the American Justice System being used as a means of revenue collection by municipalities.
Sadly, that is the single purpose of a great number of laws.
Those who can't pay with cash must pay with time in prison.

[picador]

Thus far, law enforcement has managed to stay ahead of rampant criminality. But if the influx of barbarians continues, law enforcement will fall behind and the prison population will stop increasing. Instead of cooling their heels in jail, the bandidos will be casing your house assessing the likelihood of your either being at home or armed more potently than they are.