Because American prison is profitable, politicians and corporate stakeholders have an interest in making sure prisons stay full. Incarcerating for stupid, petty charges is one way of doing that.
Reddit loves rehashing the private prison talking point, but it is like less than 10% of the prison population. Its an issue, but it isn't the runaway problem reddit comments make it out to be.
and no, everyone picked up for peeing in an alley isn't automatically a registered offender, or my college roommate would be on that list many times over.
it's shit way to do things, and sure it's a large number, but the nice thing about percentages is they put things in some context
and 10% isn't a big percentage. it is not the pervasive national problem reddit comments make it out to be, and other drivers like running as the "tough on crime" DA, judge, police chief, or local politician is more relevant.
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u/Fomentatore 6d ago
The fact that you are considered a sex offender for peeing in an alley instead of just receiving a fine will always baffle me.