system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
This is the real reason. Most countries have a prison system that costs money whereas the US system makes money. Very different incentives for lawmakers
gpt
people dont realize the prison has to maintain a certain capacity, and if they dont, the government pays for it because the two parties have a contract.

private prisons make so much money and exploit the unfortunate. $2 for a single pack of ramen? $3 for a slim jim?  it's ridiculous. throw in some undocumented people who cant speak english that have been held in prisons for a year without even knowing who their PDs are.