re: Prison Population Timeline in the US

quote:

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Pretty clear the crack epidemic and the subsequent war on drugs lead to the explosion.

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That and violent crime was way up starting in the 70's, all through the 80's until it reached its peak in 1991 (worst year on record).

One thing positive that happened under Bill Clinton's watch is that the murder rate declined steadily until he left office and continued to decline under GW and Obama.