Final answer:
The answer to the question is c) Incarceration. Incarceration serves as punishment and a deterrent to crime, though its effectiveness, particularly for juveniles, is debated. The U.S. has experienced high incarceration rates influenced by 'tough on crime' policies and faces calls for reforms in its criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "30% of people under correctional care are represented in this most visible penalty" refers to the most notable form of punishment within the criminal justice system. The correct answer is c) Incarceration. Incarceration is used not only as a way to punish those who have committed crimes but also as a means to deter further criminal behavior, a practice known as deterrence, and to lower the rates of recidivism, which is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
In the context of juvenile offenders, incarceration is less effective and even counterproductive. Instead, diversion programs such as community service are more successful in preventing future crime among young people. On the broader social scale, the United States has seen its incarceration rate grow significantly, particularly due to policies implemented in the 1980s and 1990s, such as mandatory minimum sentences. However, the trend has recently started to show a decline.
Despite this reduction, America still has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. The prison population also suffers from a range of issues, including racial imbalances and the challenges of reintegrating former prisoners into society. Criminal justice reforms, particularly those addressing non-violent drug offenses and the 'three strikes' law, contribute to this ongoing dialogue.