"Tough on Crime" has been a popular rallying cry in the US for some time. However, what does this actually mean? Further, how does it impact the behavior of would-be criminals? We explore the "tough on crime" policies with a critical eye.

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Links and resources:

1. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/70411/307337-Did-Getting-Tough-on-Crime-Pay-.pdf
2. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/failure-get-tough-crime-policy
3. https://innocenceproject.org/news/tough-on-crime-policies-are-at-odds-with-the-presumption-of-innocence/
4. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/history-mass-incarceration
5. https://www.owu.edu/news-media/from-our-perspective/tough-questions-for-tough-on-crime-policies/
6. https://www.justicestrategies.org/sites/default/files/Judy/GettingToughOnCrime.pdf
7. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/global/2021.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmN2iBhCrARIsAG_G2i5zd0_kGV7EMd4dp9GaypbmHnJ5zjx6k-iepScDj2Lt9u5Ct20dkd0aAmgREALw_wcB
8. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/jail-inmates-2021-statistical-tables#:~:text=At%20midyear%202021%2C%20about%2049,of%20the%20total%20jail%20population.
9. https://www.bop.gov/about/statistics/statistics_inmate_race.jsp
10. https://www.ncsl.org/civil-and-criminal-justice/principles-of-effective-state-sentencing-and-corrections-policy
11. https://www.sentencingproject.org/fact-sheet/top-trends-in-criminal-justice-reform-2022/
12. https://www.factretriever.com/prison-facts#:~:text=Just%2023%25%20of%20released%20prisoners%20stay%20out%20of%20prison.&text=African%20Americans%20are%20sent%20to,to%20be%20sent%20to%20prison.&text=The%20United%20States%20prison%20system%20costs%20an%20estimated%20%2480%20billion%20per%20year.
13. https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2020/oct/1/new-study-shows-tough-crime-generation-spent-more-time-prison-despite-falling-crime-rate/

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