Final answer:
The US criminal justice system is unique due to its high incarceration rate, the legacy of racial disparity, and longer prison sentences. The 'get tough on crime' policies have greatly expanded the system, contributing to the US having the largest prison population globally. The system is decentralized with law enforcement agencies operating at various government levels and focuses heavily on punishment as a means of crime prevention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The criminal justice system in the United States is distinctive in several aspects. One unique feature is the size and scope of the system, which has seen substantial growth since the 1980s due to 'get tough on crime' policies, leading to the United States having the highest incarceration rate in the world. In 2017, over two million people were locked up, representing about one percent of the US population. Additionally, the system is characterized by a legacy of racial disparity in law enforcement and sentencing.
Another aspect that sets American criminal justice apart is the lengthy prison sentences as compared to other countries, with some offenders incarcerated for crimes that might not warrant jail time elsewhere. Influential factors include the 'war on drugs' as well as politically motivated 'law and order' strategies that resulted from the 1970s cultural backlash. This political climate has often led to elected officials promoting tougher stances on crime rather than more nuanced approaches.
The American criminal justice system consists of three primary components: policing, courts, and corrections. Unlike many countries, the United States does not have a unified national police force, but rather a decentralized network of law enforcement agencies operating at federal, state, and local levels. While crime rates appear to be declining, law enforcement continues to heavily rely on punishment and incarceration as principal tools for crime prevention, despite ongoing debates about the efficacy and humanity of these methods.