LOCK 'EM UP

America the stockade

ASK YOURSELF: Are people in the United States six times more criminal than
citizens of Canada, England, Mexico and other lands?

Of course not. People are innately alike everywhere.

Then why does America lock people in prison at a rate six times higher than
those nations do?

New figures from the U.S. Justice Department say this country's prison
population grew nearly 3 percent last year, to 2.1 million - although the
crime rate has declined, and most states are trying to reduce incarceration
to save money. The biggest increase was in federal jailing, which grew 7
percent.

America's lockup rate now is 715 people per 100,000 of its population. In
contrast, Canada puts 116 in cells, England confines 143 and Mexico
imprisons 169. Why do those countries have so many fewer caged criminals?
What's the explanation?

We think this stark contrast stems from dissimilar social values. Canada,
for instance, is more tolerant and accepting, compared to a judgmental
climate that makes America quicker to put people in cells. Consider this
comparison:

Canada has no death penalty - yet President Bush set U.S. records for
killing prisoners when he was Texas governor, and his brother Jeb is
following the pattern in Florida.

Canada is moving to legalize marijuana and same-sex marriages - but American
conservatives demand that both be outlawed.

Canada won't support President Bush's Iraq war, and broke with him by
signing the Kyoto air pollution treaty.

Canada has strict pistol controls, while the United States is saturated with
hundreds of millions of guns.

Canada provides universal medical care for everyone, while America leaves 44
million "working poor" folks at risk.

All in all, Canada is a more humane place - even though Canada's churchgoing
rate is only half of America's. Somehow, the distinct differences in values
explain why Canada locks up 116 people per 100,000 of its population, and
the United States jails 715.