we're #1!

[colfax]

In many categories, the US has lost it's lead, but in prisoners par capita we lead the world without any close rivals. Russia is #2. China is #71.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_pri_per_cap-crime-prisoners-per-capita

 

[LeRoy_Was_Here]

I'm not surprised that China is only #71. They tend to execute many of their 'prisoners' rather rapidly. There are no appeals to multiple levels of the court system in China. There are no demonstrations against the death penalty. I suppose it IS a rather more 'efficient' system.

 

[OldGaffer]

It keeps the Chinese stocked with a plentiful supply of organs.

 

[fairsheet]

This oft-cited factoid has a number of facets and isn't nearly so simple and dispositive as some might assume. I could go off on some kinda ramble, but I won't.

Interesting aside though....Up until recently, the US/Nato has "managed" several large prisons in Afghanistan. The Afghanis lobbied successfully, for control of these prisons to be turned over to them. On the surface I suppose, relinquishing control of these prisons may sound like the good, and righteous, and anti-imperialist thing to do.

As it turns out though, some of the biggest opponents of the turnover, were advocates for the prisoners and/or a variety of international human rights organizations.