In the United States, more than five million people are under the supervision of the criminal justice system:
Incarcerated populationNearly two million people are incarcerated in state or federal prisons and local jails.
On paroleAbout 820,000 people are on parole, which is a type of conditional release from prison.
On probationAbout 3.8 million people are on probation, which is typically an alternative sentence.
The United States has the largest prison population in the world, with 20% of the world’s incarcerated people, despite only having 5% of the world’s population. The number of incarcerated people in the United States has increased sevenfold since 1970, far outpacing population growth and crime.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. The U.S. has approximately 5% of the world’s population and 20-25% of the world’s prison population. Moreover, the U.S. still has capital punishment in many states. Some states still executive prisoners, some states have a moritorium on execution and others have removed the capital punishment statute. Executions have already taken place in 2024. Texas has a history of consistently executing the most people. Places like China and Saudi Arabia exceed our numbers on all of it.
What social, cultural, political and economic issues are generating so much crime? Is the U.S. fighting crime effectively and efficiently? Why or why not? What should we do differently to reduce crime and help people stay out of the criminal justice system so that they can lead healthy, constructive, independent and meaningful lives?