Most important measures for reducing crime in the US + criminal justice reform

[Aimless]

I hear crime rates are generally decreasing in most of the US but obviously crime is still rampant and the criminal justice system is plagued with problems of efficacy, efficiency, quality and legitimacy.

What are the most important reasons for the general downward trend in crime rates?

What are the most effective measures that can be taken to reduce crime rates further?

What are the most urgent problems with the criminal justice system that need fixing and that can be fixed within the coming decade?

If you could implement one single change to the way the US works, for the purpose of preventing or reducing crime, what would you change?

[Loki]

Most crime rates in the US are actually lower than their European counterparts; this is particularly true of economic crimes and basic assaults. I.e. The kind of crimes you can deter with harsh punishments. The US is middle of the pack in rape, and awful when it comes to the murder rate. Given how rare murder is though, it's inaccurate that the US has a crime problem. The US has a murder problem.

[Khendraja'aro]

Legalize drugs. Most of the stuff is less harmful than alcohol and nicotine and you'd get rid of quite a number of related crimes. Plus, you'd starve the drug cartels of the money needed for their trade.

[Loki]

Most murders are unrelated to drugs. Poverty and culture of violence in inner cities a much bigger issue. They caused high crime rates before drugs became an issue.

[Khendraja'aro]

I wasn't talking about murder. I was giving an answer to Aimless question: How to reduce crime rates most effectively.

[Loki]

I wasn't talking about murder. I was giving an answer to Aimless question: How to reduce crime rates most effectively.

The problem is if it's culture and poverty causing the crimes, then legalizing drugs will simply shift crime towards another object, be it guns, prostitution, human trafficking, money laundering, etc.

[Lewkowski]

The problem is if it's culture and poverty causing the crimes, then legalizing drugs will simply shift crime towards another object, be it guns, prostitution, human trafficking, money laundering, etc.

I think you overestimate how determined the criminal class is in making money. All of those items you listed are a lot harder to profit from than drugs.

[Lewkowski]

If you could implement one single change to the way the US works, for the purpose of preventing or reducing crime, what would you change?

Easy - legalize drug use. Its particularly galling that violent thieves and felons are released *early* due to prison overcrowding because of the number of people in prison for drug related offenses.

[Khendraja'aro]

Well, it can't be worse than what you're currently doing. I mean, just look at the numbers for your prison population - 50% of inmates in federal prisons are for drug related causes.

[Loki]

Misleading statements. Most prisoners are in state prison.

[Khendraja'aro]

I dare say that the numbers won't be much different for state, considering that you jail at the drop of a hat when it comes to drugs.

[Enoch the Red]

I dare say that the numbers won't be much different for state, considering that you jail at the drop of a hat when it comes to drugs.

I think the percentage is closer to 20% for state prisons. All told about a quarter of all incarcerated prisoners, (including those in municipal jails, and state and federal prisons) are or have been imprisoned for drug related offenses, which is hardly insignificant.

I agree that legalizing drugs won't stop all the violent crime in the United States, but I also think it would likely make a statistically significant difference. Even ignoring crime that is directly related to drugs, the lasting stigma combined with the cultural and legal ramifications of a prison term for drug possession/distribution/use are a huge impediment to reintegrating back into society, and no doubt contributes to additional criminal behavior. If you don't have any prospects for your future in the mainstream, and have a record that will follow you for the rest of your life, there are by default a limited number of avenues available to you.

[GGT]

If you could implement one single change to the way the US works, for the purpose of preventing or reducing crime, what would you change?

I'd start by reforming attitudes/expectations and funding for Public Education. Especially for early childhood, which would include "Day Care" for infants and pre-school before Kindergarten.