This is a direct result of the "tough on crime" laws from the 90's, combined with the fact that we treat our convicted felons like human trash. Ridiculous sente

This is a direct result of the "tough on crime" laws from the 90's, combined with the fact that we treat our convicted felons like human trash. Ridiculous sentences for low level, non-violent offenses turn people who did one dumb thing one weekend into hard criminals, and then we throw them on the street with a twenty dollar bill and nothing else, prevent them from getting work at every opportunity, and wonder why the end up committing more crime. And on top of all of that, there's NO evidence that higher sentences and harsher punishments have any effect on the overall crime rates.