[lbo-talk] Abolition of prisons (Was: Angela...)

[John Thornton]

Dennis Claxton wrote:
> At 04:28 PM 4/6/2009, John Thornton wrote:
>
>
>> None of what you post suggests that the majority of the people in 
>> prison would otherwise pose a risk to the safety of the overall 
>> population.
>
>
> My point is it's important to get the numbers right.  Saying half, or 
> more, of prisoners in the U.S. are locked up for drug offenses is 
> plainly and simply wrong.

I never claimed the state drug incarceration rate was 50% or more nor 
did I support anyone's claim to that effect.
I cited the 1999 report which listed it at 30.2%.
However in Federal custody the 2006 report showed the rate was 53% for 
drug crimes.

John Thornton