Mass incarceration has been in the news lately like never before. But how did we get into this mess? Was it our history? Our economic system? Our legal institutions? Comparisons with other countries may help us find an answer, and finding the correct answer will certainly be important if we want to reduce the rate of incarceration.

Joining us this month is Daniel D’Amico, a George Mason–trained economist who specializes in the political economy of the justice system. His thesis is provocative: D’Amico argues that mass incarceration is in part a product of the distinctive institutions found in common law countries. Is he right? Joining us this month to discuss are Mike Riggs, communications director for Families Against Mandatory Minimums; Professor of Criminology Susanne Karstedt of Leeds University; and Adam Gelb, director of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Public Safety Performance Project.