--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because prison sentences in America tend…" description: "\"Because prison sentences in America tend to be long, de-incarceration lags falling crime rates by a fair amount, but eventually it does catch up.\" — Ke..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f5/kevin-drum-9635_america_because-prison-sentences-in-america-tend_2842067.jpg" --- # Because prison sentences in America tend to be long… ![“Because prison sentences in America tend to be long, de-incarceration lags falling crime rates by a fair amount, but eventually it does catch up.” quote by Kevin Drum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f5/kevin-drum-9635_america_because-prison-sentences-in-america-tend_2842067.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f5/kevin-drum-9635_america_because-prison-sentences-in-america-tend_2842067.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f5/kevin-drum-9635_america_because-prison-sentences-in-america-tend_2842067.jpg) > “Because prison sentences in America tend to be long, de-incarceration lags falling crime rates by a fair amount, but eventually it does catch up.” [Kevin Drum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-drum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Long prison terms delay the impact of reduced incarceration on crime rates, but over time the effect catches up. **In simple terms:** Long sentences postpone crime reduction benefits. Key Takeaway Patience needed for policy effects. Themes justice policy crime rehabilitation Mood analytical concerned Type policy sociological When to use this quote - criminal justice reform - long‑term planning - public safety analysis Key Concepts sociology public policy Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance immediate safety with long‑term reform? - What metrics best track delayed effects? A Different Perspective Short‑term fixes may ignore deeper systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Amount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amount/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Crime rates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime-rates/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Fairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairs/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Falling Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/falling-crime-2623622/) [Incarceration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incarceration/) [Incarceration Lags](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incarceration-lags-3731628/) [Lag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lag/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long Incarceration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-incarceration-3731629/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Prison Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison-sentences-3221111/) [Rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rate/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) ## Related quotes > [So, if falling crime rates coincide with the rise of violent video games and increasing violence on TV and at the cinema, should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-mackay/so-if-falling-crime-rates-coincide-with-the-rise-of-violent-video/) [Hugh Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-mackay/) > [“The percentage of drug arrests that result in prison sentences (rather than dismissal, community service, or probation) has quadrupled, resulting in a prison-building boom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/the-percentage-of-drug-arrests-that-result-in-prison-sentences-rather/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [Whilst long prison sentences will always be right for those who commit the most serious crimes, particularly of a violent or sexual nature, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gauke/whilst-long-prison-sentences-will-always-be-right-for-those-who/) [David Gauke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gauke/) > [Black crime rates fell more steeply than white crime rates, and now black incarceration is falling more steeply than white incarceration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-drum/black-crime-rates-fell-more-steeply-than-white-crime-rates-and-now/) [Kevin Drum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-drum/) > [Football leads to a crime rate among people that play in the NFL that is less than the gen pop, the general population. 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