"Nationwide, the numbers are staggering: Nearly 2.4 million people behind bars, even though over the last 20 years the crime rate has actually dropped by more than 40 percent...Is it fair to call the United States the 'incarceration nation'?"
CBS is referring to the fact that the United States incarcerates, by far, more of its citizens than any other country on the planet.
This mindblowing increase over the past couple of decades is the result of ineffective "tough on crime" policies designed to win the unwinable "war on drugs". As they report, in a little over 40 years, the number of people incarcerated for drug crimes climbed from less than 40,000 to over half a million.
These policies have done nothing to reduce drug use, addiction or availability in our country.
Instead, they cost states vast amounts of money and created a class of people who face serious barriers when they try to return to their community.
And they have contributed to disturbing racial disparities (Blacks use drugs at the same rate as whites, but nearly 3 out of 4 people incarcerated for drug possession are African-American and a shocking one out of three black men between 18 and 35 is in jail, in prison, on probation or on parole.)
These non-violent drug offenders - whatever their race - then face enhanced charges and lengthy sentences - to the benefit of no one.
Certainly not to the benefit of the taxpayers - who pay over over $56,000 per year in Maine to house an inmate in a state correctional facility.
And certainly not the loved ones and community members who will welcome these (mostly) men home to face dramatically reduced opportunities for jobs, housing, and education.
Fortunately, Maine is led by a Commissioner of Corrections aware of the dire need for criminal justice reform and for supporting prisoners transition back home. Zach, Shenna, Jon and I recently visited the Maine State Prison where we met with the Warden and some truly dedicated officers committed to carrying out these new policies.
They confirmed that use of solitary confinement and cell extractions has dropped by more than half at the Maine State Prison.
These changes are happening because of current leadership, pressure and oversight from prisoners rights and civil rights groups, and with the essential cooperation of corrections staff.
This summer, Zach and I will be preparing a report to share with the public documenting these remarkable changes. Our hope is that the report will be a model to other states as they realize the futility of being being "tough on crime" and the wisdom, instead, in being "smart on crime."
I look forward to continuing to work with these allies as Maine moves forward to reduce our prison population and create better criminal justice policy.