askhistorians

Year:

Only show posts with narrations

TIL That today the US is responsible for 25% of the world's prison population. Presumably in 1776 we were on par with Europe. Has the US proclivity for incarceration been a historical trait or only a more recent phenomenon? What laws has the US enacted enabling this increased rate of imprisonment?

5192 upvotes

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
TIL That today the US is responsible for 25% of the world's prison population. Presumably in 1776 we were on par with Europe. Has the US proclivity for incarceration been a historical trait or only a more recent phenomenon? What laws has the US enacted enabling this increased rate of imprisonment?	5192