There's no real solution other than build new prisons, hire new people and transfer prisoners.
There's a lot more solutions than that.
Decriminalizing drug use, and treating it like a public health issue (which it is) would drastically reduce incarceration rates. It would save the nation a lot of money too. Just tax and regulate it.
Spending time and money to help people not re-offend (and go back to jail) would also be cost-effective.
Unfortunately, there are big interests that want to keep the status quo.
After legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, Colorado has seen a 50% increase in Marijuana related DUI arrests [0].
The state/counties already tax the hell out of the plant (roughly 23% in my county). The state always finds ways to make money off their citizenry. This created a market for a less expensive product that's also conveniently illegal.
The dispensaries can't open bank accounts and are forced to maintain multi-million dollar cash stockpiles. They are so afraid of being robbed, they hire ex-military to travel around town with them armed with semi-automatic rifles [1]. Isn't this asking for more violent crime?
The dispensaries can't open bank accounts and are forced to maintain multi-million dollar cash stockpiles. They are so afraid of being robbed, they hire ex-military to travel around town with them armed with semi-automatic rifles [1]. Isn't this asking for more violent crime?
Well, if Marijuana was legal at the federal level too, then maybe the dispensaries could do business like everybody else. I don't see that as a valid argument to stop decriminalization.
I didn't say drug use wasn't a problem, just that it should be treated like a public health issue, instead of a criminal justice one.
There's a lot more solutions than that.
Decriminalizing drug use, and treating it like a public health issue (which it is) would drastically reduce incarceration rates. It would save the nation a lot of money too. Just tax and regulate it.
Spending time and money to help people not re-offend (and go back to jail) would also be cost-effective.
Unfortunately, there are big interests that want to keep the status quo.