andrew markworthy
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,762
I'm sure that all the children, widows and parents of Brit and other European soldiers who've died supporting US forces in two Gulf wars would roll around laughing if they read that.
Back on topic - as for the greater numbers of prisoners, there are several mundane reasons:
(1) greater general prosperity means there is more to steal. I don't know about the USA, but in the UK something you often hear from old folks is how in the old days everyone left their doors unlocked. There was a simple reason why - apart from the fact that more people were at home (particularly women) making thefts harder, there was nothing worth stealing.
(2) countries like the USA and to almost the same degree the UK and other affluent European countries can afford better CSI units and hence catch more criminals (even allowing for the poor clear up rate for many crimes)
(3) drugs - the greater availability of drugs (in part tied to much better international transportation) means that there is a greater need for people to steal (to maintain their habit). If I recall the stats correctly, at least 60% of inmates have drug addiction of one form or another.
Back on topic - as for the greater numbers of prisoners, there are several mundane reasons:
(1) greater general prosperity means there is more to steal. I don't know about the USA, but in the UK something you often hear from old folks is how in the old days everyone left their doors unlocked. There was a simple reason why - apart from the fact that more people were at home (particularly women) making thefts harder, there was nothing worth stealing.
(2) countries like the USA and to almost the same degree the UK and other affluent European countries can afford better CSI units and hence catch more criminals (even allowing for the poor clear up rate for many crimes)
(3) drugs - the greater availability of drugs (in part tied to much better international transportation) means that there is a greater need for people to steal (to maintain their habit). If I recall the stats correctly, at least 60% of inmates have drug addiction of one form or another.