The U.S. incarcerates more of its people than any other country. Our longer prison sentences account for much of the difference in rates of incarceration in the U.S. compared to other countries.
Crime is perpetrated mostly by young people. The peak age for robbery is 16 to 18 years. For burglary, it is 15-18, and for aggravated assault, it is 17-21. The 35- through 40-year-olds rob and burgle at about one-fifth the rate of teenagers and commit assault less than one-half as often. By the age of 45-50, the rates for robbery and burglary approach zero.
It is fairly obvious that we are not preventing crime by locking up people in their 50s, 60s and 70s. So, tell me, why does locking up non-violent people for life without the possibility of parole at 27,000 taxpayer dollars per year sound good?
LOWANA KREWSON
Stanwood
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