Over 2,500 Americans end up in foreign prisons every year and very few get an early released (sometimes they split their time between both countries if they are lucky). The rare exception is when capital punishment is involved as Eddie mentioned. I've been to a Thai prison visit and have seen Americans who've been locked up in there for many years (almost ten at the time).
Although these people are subject to the laws and penal system of the host country, and basically forfeit whatever rights they had in the US, it seems to be a rarity for a service member to not be immediately repatriated. It does appear to be a double standard... although I don't know if that is an accurate term for it.
Last edited by Fusilier; 03-16-2012 at 11:56 PM.
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