"The money and resources spent by governments and private interests on the criminal justice system is so large that it is having a profound impact on our economy, and as a result, our society. In 1994, just two years after President Bill Clinton took office, there were 1.4 million prison and jail inmates in the U.S. and by 1997, the criminal justice system employed more than two million people,6 and cost taxpayers more than $70 billion a year. One estimate suggests that by 2002, the criminal justice system will cost taxpayers more than $200 billion annually.7 Today, there are more people working in the criminal justice system than are working in community and social service occupations (like employment, vocational, mental health and substance abuse counseling).8 Ironically, these are the occupations that are most likely to be geared towards preventing crime, and helping to rehabilitate ex-offenders, as opposed to occupations that are designed to arrest, prosecute, detain and imprison. With two million people behind bars in the U.S., and 4.5 million people on probation and parole, America ends the Clinton-era with at least 8.5 million people who are either under the control of the correctional system or working for the criminal justice system."

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"Unlike state prison systems, the President and Congress have direct control of the federal prison population. Under President Reagan's eight year term, the number of prisoners under federal jurisdiction rose from 24,363 (1980) to 49,928 (1988), and under President George Bush's four-year term, the federal system grew to 80,259 (1992). However, under President Bill Clinton, the number of prisoners under federal jurisdiction doubled, and grew more than it did under the previous 12-years of Republican rule, combined (to 147,126 by February, 2001).11 As of December 31, 1999, a year prior to the completion of his term in office,12 the Clinton Administration already well outstripped the Reagan and Bush Administrations with a federal incarceration rate of rate of 42 per 100,000. This was more than double the federal incarceration rate at the end of President Reagan's term (17 per 100,000), and 61% higher than at the end of President George Bush's term (25 per 100,000). (See Chart IV) Fifty-eight percent of these inmates (63,448) are serving time for drug offenses--a 62% increase since 1990."
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"During the final year of George W. Bush's term as Governor of Texas, the State's prison population became the largest in the nation, edging out California's, even though 13 million more people live in California than in Texas.16 In 1999, as Governor, George W. Bush signed more death warrants than any other governor in the U.S.17 Having shown his conservative mettle on the crime issue, and having spoken of his own tribulations with alcohol abuse and a past conviction for drunk driving, President Bush's challenge is now to help others who are caught up in the criminal justice system to achieve the same kind of redemption he has. Based on his campaign platform, and a sober analysis of bi-partisan support for criminal justice reform, the authors recommend that President Bush begin his presidency by breaking with the policies of the last administration in two ways:"
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the site that holds this information

So, which president do you feel has had the best policys regarding crime in america?

Uh, nileriver - you forgot something...your question to debate. PM me or a mod so we can get this open. Thanks.

Here is our question to debate:

QUOTE

Which President has had the best record on crime prevention in the U.S?

As always, keep it civil and constructive. Enjoy the debate.