Peter du Pont

In the following viewpoint, Peter du Pont claims that the prison system works. Since the probability of being imprisoned for committing a crime has increased, he contends, crimes such as rape and murder have been reduced. According to du Pont, the enormous cost of imprisoning more criminals pays for itself by preventing future crimes and increasing public safety. He also asserts that these costs can be reduced through reforms of the prison system. Du Pont is a former governor of Delaware and the policy chairman for the National Center for Policy analysis, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank based in Texas.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How does the author support his claim that the increased probability of imprisonment reduces crime?
2. According to du Pont, how much money is saved as the “social benefit” from imprisoning...