Societies, from time to time throughout history, have marched toward disaster with the acquiescence of otherwise sensible people. The current increase in the use of incarceration represents such a “march of folly.” Prison expansion is being driven by the notion that criminals are morally inferior and that they respond only to the threat of serious punishment. These assumptions are simplistic and socially divisive. Furthermore, incarceration is very expensive and fails to deal effectively with the reality that most criminals are returned to society. Criminal laws need to be reformed so that incarceration is reserved for the most serious violent offenders.
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References
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Irwin, J., & Austin, J. (1994). It's about time. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
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Tuchman, B. (1962). The guns of August. New York: Macmillan.
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Tuchman, B. (1984). March of folly. New York: Ballantine.
