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Comment by coldtea

13 hours ago

>Federal prosecutors won't even pursue cases unless they think there's a high chance of success.

Given the incarceration rates compared to average western standards, that's a moot point. Even if they selectively pursue, they do pursue a hell of a lot, and they do get a hell of a lot of convictions - relatively. Factor in the severity of the convictions, also much worse compared to average western standards even for the same offenses, and it's an ever worse picture.

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coldtea

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oliwarner  12 hours ago

> Given the incarceration rates...

I don't think you make anything moot by compounding more regional stats. Some countries have more crime, they underinvest in rehabilitation, addiction treatment, and social diversion programmes. Shock horror: jobless, homeless addicts commit crimes. The US also has a land border with long land borders.

That is all to say, comparing apples and margaritas doesn't do what you think it does.

  • watwut  12 hours ago

    US does not have that much more crime.

    • oliwarner  9 hours ago

      It's tempting to redefine as "crimes that result in prison sentencing", but the more you pick at these scabs, the more international discrepancies you uncover in law, policing, sentencing and statistics.

      In a way that matters here, I don't believe you are correct, but I cede I haven't the time or machinery to hand to prove it.

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