I could not BELIEVE the difference with how many people were incarcerated in the United States versus other countries! Wow! I absolutely do not believe that shoving people into a prison cell is going to "rehabilitate" them and better society. There are plenty of other options, but the current system seems lazy and, quite honestly, unfair. Looking closer at the demographic of people that is imprisoned, there is a large percentage of black and hispanic people. This does NOT mean that they are more dangerous or violent; it points out that law enforcement has targeted these groups at a greater rate and can be harsher to these races than they are with white people. There are countless examples of a white person being "let off easy", while a black person is given a harsher punishment. It isn't shocking that there is a higher population of black people in prisons.
I agree the disparity in incarceration rates is horrible. It's not just that law enforcement targets people of color. They also don't have the economic resources to fight the system. If you can't afford bail, you stay in jail and lose your job, perhaps your living arrangement, car, etc. And without a high priced lawyer you're more likely to take a plea bargain or be convicted.