It is, yes. The specific mechanism is that most cases don't go to trial; accused are offered plea deals with the threat that they will receive a much, much harsher sentence if they push for a trial. This threat is often made good too: police testimony is usually enough to get a guilty verdict and police say what prosecutors want them to.
Basically if they want you they've got you. To get out you have to have a very specific alignment of resources, sympathy and luck, and the risk if it doesn't work out is massive even then.
Yup guantanamo north I've heard it called. Like 30 people have died in houston jail while awaiting trial in the last two years alone. It's endemic to the point of being basically intentional now.
Basically if they want you they've got you. To get out you have to have a very specific alignment of resources, sympathy and luck, and the risk if it doesn't work out is massive even then.