I know...I have a tendency to speak in absolutes.
The US penal system is indeed a complete disaster...as are many of our criminal laws.
It's a long discussion..but drugs are our problem, short and sweet. We spend an absurd amount of $$ on both state/fed level fighting a pointless battle. That battle empowers criminal enterprise...and our prisons are full to the brim with people that are in there for drug related crimes.
There's really no way of really knowing, but I'd love to know how many people are currently in prison because they are completely unfit to be in free society. I'm not talking about people that murder based on crimes of passion, or DUI, or inv manslaughter, or murder due to drug related activities. Actual real psycho/sociopaths and other people with extreme mental disorders who no mater what, just cannot live with the rest of us safely.
You admit the penal system in this country is a disaster, yet voted for a guy who installed one of those Southern law and order types as Attorney General.
Interesting.