For your consideration: (US statistics)Originally Posted by DB_Hunter
Prison populations by primary (most serious) offense:
violent crime -- 52%
drug crimes -- 20%
property-related charges (vandalism, theft) -- 21%
(source: usdoj.gov)
Substantial portions of violent crime are probably property-related or drug-related (the stereotypical crack-addict knocking off a liquor store, for example). Didn't run into any stats on that.
Via usdoj:
Prisoners drug charges by charge family:
Trafficking: 97.5%
Possession: 2.1%
The remainder is there for "other drug offenses".
Trafficking is apparently quite a lucrative market to be in, considering it accounts for pretty close to 1/5 of us prison populations. On the other hand, "general trafficking" (70% of prosecutions) is charged for anyone in possession of more than a certain amount, whether they intended to use it themselves or sell it. Judging intents is difficult, and a lot of trafficking charges might actually be simple possession.
By drug (from the same source), trafficking is statistically
Marijuana: 30%
Cocaine: 30%
Crack: 15%
Methamphetamine: 15%
Opiates (heroin, opium and morphine in particular): 6.7%,
Hallucinogens, others: 3%
Violent crime is by far the biggest piece of the pie though.
Discuss.
Reply With Quote