1%

1%
1% of us are behind bars.

I think there should be an absolute cap on incarceration spending, and certain other rules, too.

For example, forbid allocation of any more than some percentage of total spending on incarceration (half, say, of what it is now). At the same time, forbid the share of incarceration spending from exceeding the share of other state activities like higher education or what have you.

Such constraints would result in a much better public safety situation in this country. It's too bad that the combined influences of authoritarians on the one hand, and softies on the other, makes this impossible even if you discount self-serving by the PCC (Prison/Cop Complex).

Oh, well...