This idea has led to millions of people being sentenced to long terms for crimes that do not necessarily warrant long annual sentences. I believe the only way to reduce our incarceration rates is to stop taking the easy way out. It is much easier to lock people up than to rehabilitate them. Rehabilitation should always be the first response to minor, non-violent crimes; Obviously, for more serious crimes like murder, harsher penalties should be applied. For example, drug arrests account for a large portion of the incarcerated population. It's not necessary, yes, some drug-related arrests, such as one involving a drug dealer who sold drugs to another person who then died from them, are a crime that deserves serious punishment. However, for less serious drug offenses, such as possession, people should be offered a rehabilitation program such as pardon or probation. A simple drug possession charge should not be a mandatory prison sentence. The United States needs to stop sending people to prison and start providing rehabilitation options. Overall, I believe this would ultimately decrease recidivism and prison sentences.