Are we arresting too many people?

Prisons are overcrowded with low-level offenders. Is this keeping our country safe? CNN's Anderson Cooper reports.

[CoryHatfield]

3 words.
Nonviolent Drug Offenders.
Let people do what they want as long as they're not hurting others.
Who cares? It's not on you. 

[HeatsFan]

This is an obvious issue that has to be resolved, people going to jail for petty shit and costing tax payers millions. Who profits? Corporations. 

[tommygunz]

Because its pay thousands or go to jail. For minor things like a bill or ticket for pot its a industry to incarceration pays very well.

[eokii]

We can't keep imposing people for extensively long terms.

Here in NZ, we imprison 194 people per 100, 000 people and by taking away men from the family, it causes family dysfunction and creates a perpetual cycle of crime. 

The reason for this is we're taking away the only breadwinner for their families,  young people loose a sense of structure and family role model and because of this, the children of the family may eventually turn to crime themselves, hence repeating the cycle.

Both NZ and the US should focus less on imprisoning people and more on focusing on giving these offenders rehabilitation, treatment, job opportunities and housing (like how Salt Lake City, Utah gives housing to the homeless).

[walsh]

Yes we are, NO VICTEM NO CRIME, let ppl smoke weed and do steroids it's their bodies whatever happen to freedoms in America ? No VICTEM no crime

[phillipsmom]

Bring back the chain Watch the crime rate go down.

[imatelly]

most of the people in jail are there for none violent crimes. we pay so much per day to keep them there.
just fine them by taking it from a paycheck, food stamps, well fair. how ever is easier in any given situation.
we would then be making money and not spending it when it comes to none violent crime.

[badgerfishinski]

Drug users should be rehabilitated not imprisoned. Violent criminals however...Lock up violent criminals. Make people accountable.Making examples of criminals is the ultimate persuasive technique to NOT commit crimes! End the Democrat agenda. Arm the law abiding citizens (that's most of America) Problem solved.

[Tackleqb]

legalize drugs. period. Let people do what they want with their bodies. I guarantee violence in the US will drop more then  half once we legalize drugs. Not to mention arrests will decrease 100 fold. End this stupid war on drugs. Beef up education programs and promote better parenting.

[incubusfamiliar]

i know this shit years ago and you know what i don't like assisting the wicked