The Limits Of Locking People Up

The Economist revisits the incarceration debate:

Using more recent data, Bert Useem of Purdue University and AnnePiehl of Rutgers University estimate that a 10% increase in the numberof people behind bars would reduce crime by only 0.5%. In the statesthat currently lock up the most people, imprisoning more would actuallyincrease crime, they believe. Some inmates emerge from prison as moreaccomplished criminals. And raising the incarceration rate meanslocking up people who are, on average...