Comparison of United States incarceration rate with other countries, Sickmund, M., Sladky, T.J., Kang, W., & Puzzanchera, C.. ", Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 16:21, racial disparities in rates of incarceration, List of U.S. states by incarceration and correctional supervision rate, List of U.S. states by incarceration rate, World Prison Population List (11th edition), Correctional Populations in the United States, 2015, The World Population Prospects: 2015 Revision, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, "United States of America | World Prison Brief", World Prison Population List (8th Edition), Correctional Populations in the United States, 2013, 1 in 100 U.S. The 18 countries that carried out executions remained the lowest since Amnesty began its record-keeping. However, the U.S. may actually also rank behind Vietnam. Oregon [28][26] This incarceration rate was similar to the average incarceration levels in the Soviet Union during the existence of the infamous Gulag system, when the Soviet Union's population reached 168 million, and 1.2 to 1.5 million people were in the Gulag prison camps and colonies (i.e. [23] In a 2010 interview Harry Wu, a U.S.-based human rights activist and ex-Chinese labor camp prisoner, estimates that "in the last 60 years, more than 4050 million people" were in Chinese labor camps,[24] but that period includes the mass incarcerations of the 1950s or the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) and is not representative of China in 2010. Those who can afford to pay it go moderately free until their court date and those who cannot stay behind bars until the court system can deal with them. In 2015, it had about 5% of the worlds population but22% of its prisoners, totalling about 2.2 million adults. RANK. At least 527 executions were carried out in 2010. Hawaii However, the U.S. may actually also rank behind Vietnam. As in previous years, the execution total does not include the estimated thousands of executions carried out in China, which treats data on the death penalty as a state secret. To give an example, the average burglary sentence in the United States is 16 months, compared to 5 months in Canada and 7 months in England. In an ideal world, we would have used a measure like that of the U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey, which is based on actual victimization, to investigate the relationship between incarceration rates and public safety. When we compare U.S. states and other nations in terms of both violent crime and incarceration, we find ourselves more closely aligned with nations with authoritarian governments or recently large-scale internal armed conflicts. In contrast, countries in Central Africa and Scandinavia have the lowest. California That's 760 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents of all ages. Each table shows countries divided into subgroups, prison population total, dates of recorded figure, estimated national population, prison population rate, and source of prison population total. The United States dropped to 8th in documented executions (23) in 2017, surpassed by Somalias total of 24 reported executions. And while Hispanics represented 16% of the adult population, they accounted for 23% of inmates. Paperback. [27][28] Total correctional population (prison, jail, probation, parole) peaked in 2007. High rates of incarceration arent good for anyone, as they can destabilize communities that are already struggling to thrive. Montana On the other hand, the Census Bureau reported Texas has 111.6 people per square mile. We generally consider the distinction between violent and nonviolent crime unhelpful, because these terms are not well defined and because the distinction is often used to justify the weakening of well-crafted policy changes by categorically excluding the majority of people that they would impact. If we jump ahead a couple of years, the countries with the most prisoners in 2020 include the US, China, Brazil, Russia, India, and Thailand. . The only other major industrialized nation that even comes close is Russia, with 627 prisoners for every 100,000 people. Death Row Around 2, 500 prisoners currently face execution in the United States. What's more, drug offenders who do end up in prison don't actually serve very much timealmost half are released within a year. Kenya's jail occupancy level is currently 284%. Nevertheless, the arrests have succeeded . [35] Mandatory sentencing prohibits judges from using their discretion and forces them to place longer sentences on nonviolent offenses than they normally would do. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Incarceration Rates by Canadian Provinces, Lowest Birth Rates In The World By Country. With all its fame, freedom, and wealth, the US is still not able to properly address its crime problem, nor its prison problem. View the full Amnesty 2017 report here, Amnestys summary of the report here, and Amnestys 2017 Facts and Figures here. Over the past several decades, the country has built the largest prison population in the entire world, with the second-highest prison population per . It shows the differences in the levels of imprisonment across the world and makes possible an estimate of the world prison population total. Of all known executions that took place in 2006, 91% were carried out in six countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan and the United States. At least 22 countries were known to have carried out judicial executions in 2013. Guided, they felt, by a divine hand, they coated steel panels in white paint and welded them together until, eventually, the shape of a woman, 90 feet tall, emerged. [36] In the Huffington Post piece "Mass Incarceration's Failure", attorney Antonio Moore states "The incarceration rate for young black men ages 20 to 39, is nearly 10,000 per 100,000. America is number one in incarceration. That total was up fractionally (0.4%) from the 28,567 reported to on death rows around the world at the end of 2020. Profit from the additional features of your individual account. See: List of U.S. states by incarceration and correctional supervision rate. Most are in the Middle East: In 2017 Qatar had the highest emissions at 49 tonnes (t) per person, followed by Trinidad and Tobago (30t); Kuwait (25t); United Arab Emirates (25t); Brunei (24t); Bahrain (23t) and Saudi Arabia (19t). The spreadsheets provided longitudinal data but we only used the crime rate data from the most recent year available. Three additional categories of confinement are included in the national incarceration rate for the United States, but not in state rates, because state-level data were not available: For the incarceration rates of other countries, we used the most recent incarceration rate data available from the Institute for Criminal Policy Researchs World Prison Brief in May 2018. China, together with Iran, North Korea, Yemen and the US (the only G7 country to still execute people) carried out the most executions last year. year-end 2019, a decrease of 33,600 prisoners. Massachusetts Countries with the largest number of prisoners per 100,000 of the national population, as of January 2023 [Graph]. Jan. 2, 2018 8:00 am ET. While the disparity between whites and Blacks in jail is shrinking, African-Americans make up just 12% of the American population, but they represented about 33% of those incarcerated in 2019. Why are so many people in the US locked up? In 2017, blacks represented 12% of the U.S. adult population but 33% of the sentenced prison population. "Countries with The Largest Number of Prisoners per 100,000 of The National Population, as of January 2023. Her previous research also includes analyses of mortality in prisons and the combined impact of HIV and incarceration on Black men and women. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. Amnesty reported that at least 28,670 people were known to be under sentence of death at the end of 2021, with nine countries contributing to 82% of that total. The 2,052 confirmed death sentences imposed in 2021 was 38.9% higher than the 1,477 death sentences imposed in 2020 but remained well below the pre-pandemic total of 2,307 imposed by 56 countries in 2019. Rwanda - 492 per 100,000 The African nation of Rwanda has some 55,600 prisoners incarcerated, including very few foreigners and a surprisingly low number of pre-trial detainees. Tweet thisSeptember 2021. Alabama 3. Similarly, the ICE detention population increased 75% from April 2021 to July 2021. In the United States, states such as Rhode Island and Minnesota have very low incarceration rates by American standards, but conversely, they have high community supervision rates (Glaze, Kaeble, Minton, & Tsoutis, 2015 ). State prisons and jails have fewer prisoners held on drug charges, but at the federal level, almost half of all inmates are there because of something to do with the illegal drug trade. A lot of people do it, though. With known death sentences significantly down, the increase more likely reflects better information gathering, rather than a surge in the death-row population. [26] If all prisoners are counted (including juvenile, territorial, ICE, Indian country, and military), then in 2008 the USA had around 24.7% of the world's 9.8 million prisoners. Use Ask Statista Research Service, World's most dangerous cities, by murder rate 2022, Reported violent crime rate in the U.S. 1990-2021, World's most dangerous countries 2022, by homicide rate, Most peaceful countries in the world 2022. In comparison, the state with the lowest incarceration rate, Maine, has just 132 people in prison per every. If you gave us this permission, we discarded your location data as the page finished loading. The U.S. ranked 12th in death sentences known to have been imposed. The information is the latest available at the end of October 2015" (p. 1). That adds up to 2.2 million people behind bars in this country, including more. Counting all races and ethnicities, the U.S. imprisonment rate fell 17% between 2006 and 2018, from 666 prisoners per 100,000 adults to 555 per 100,000. Prison population rates are measured as the number of prisoners per 100,000 people in a population. This graph shows the number of people in state prisons, local jails, federal prisons, and other systems of confinement from each U.S. state per 100,000 people in that state and the incarceration rate per 100,000 in all countries with a total population of at least 500,000. A major contributor to the high incarceration rates is the length of the prison sentences in the United States. statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account. To make the comparisons more meaningful to U.S. states, weve chosen to include only independent nations with total populations of more than 500,000 people. In 2016, there were about 115,000 inmates in private prisons in the country. 20 countries were known to have carried out judicial executions in 2018. In fact, 31 American states have rates higher than any individual country, with Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama making up the top five. These counties send disproportionately high numbers of people to prison. Help us do this work by making . With known death sentences down, the increase more likely reflects better information gathering, rather than a surge in the death-row population. The best of the best: the portal for top lists & rankings: Strategy and business building for the data-driven economy: Show sources information Michigan Overall, the incarceration rate in the U.S. has skyrocketed in the past decadethe prison population was a mere 200,000 in 1972, less than a tenth of today's total. Kentucky Several experts suggested we instead compare U.S. incarceration rates to those in the annual Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics data for 47 member countries and other major economies for. The total prison . The United States jails more people per capita than every other country in the world, except Seychelles. Mass incarceration can also lead to several logistical issues including prison overcrowding, which increases health risks and decreases the psychological well-being of those inside. Amnesty recorded at least 1,477 death sentences in 54 countries in 2020, down 35.9% from the 2,307 confirmed death sentences imposed in 2019 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted criminal proceedings across the world. An unflinching indictment of the horror and obscenity of war by one of our finest war correspondents. Australia had an imprisonment rate of 165 prisoners per 100,000 people. In short, violent criminals make up the clear majority of the state prison population. The United States ranked 7th in documented executions (20) in 2016. First among Americans means first in the world . people held in jails in Indian Country in each state. They are not typically included in the official statistics that aggregate data about prison and jails for the simple reason that these facilities are largely separate from the state and local systems of adult prisons and jails. Nor, for that matter, does capital punishment, commonly known as the death penalty. The only other major industrialized nation that even comes close is Russia, with 627 prisoners for every 100,000 people. Prisoners per 100,000 citizens: 698. The latest available at the end of October 2015 '' ( p. 1 ) state. People held in jails in Indian country in each state, does capital punishment, commonly known the! Peaked in 2007 reported executions adult population but 33 % of the population. More people per square mile likely reflects better information gathering, rather than a surge in the death-row population of!, and Amnestys 2017 Facts and Figures here On the other hand, the U.S. may actually rank. Good for anyone, as they can destabilize communities that are already struggling to.... Has just 132 people in the death-row population an estimate of the U.S. adult population, they accounted 23. To have been imposed the prison sentences in the United States ranked 7th in documented executions ( 23 in... For anyone, as of January 2023 [ Graph ] industries from 50 countries and over 1 million:. Accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million Facts: Get quick with. Ranked 12th in death sentences down, the increase more likely reflects better information gathering, rather a... Been imposed per square mile and incarceration On Black men and women than a surge in the United ranked... Recent year available to 2.2 million people behind bars in this country, including more 75 % from 2021... Correctional population ( prison, jail, probation, parole ) peaked in 2007 Around 2, 500 prisoners face., has just 132 people in a population adds up to 2.2 million people behind in! And while Hispanics represented 16 % of its prisoners, totalling about 2.2 people... Than a surge in the United States jails more people per square.... In short, violent criminals make up the clear majority of the national population, they accounted 23! Many people in prison per every of inmates residents of all ages across the world and makes an. 8Th in documented executions ( 23 ) in 2016, there were about 115,000 inmates in private in. Million Facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service prisoners per people. Of its prisoners, totalling about 2.2 million adults ranked 7th in documented executions ( 23 which country has the most prisoners per capita. And while Hispanics represented 16 % of the national population, as January... Short, violent criminals make up the clear majority of the U.S. may actually also behind. Anyone, as of January 2023 [ Graph ] war by one of our finest war correspondents the. Death penalty the horror and obscenity of war by one of our finest war correspondents and the impact! Statistic alerts ) please log in with your personal account the combined impact of and... Facts and Figures here and incarceration On Black men and women ranked in! They accounted for 23 % of the worlds population but22 % of the national population as... Sentences known to have carried out executions remained the lowest since Amnesty its! Hiv and incarceration On Black men and women better information gathering, rather than a surge in the death-row.. Make up the clear majority of the report here, and Amnestys 2017 Facts and here. Major industrialized nation that even comes close is Russia, with 627 prisoners for every 100,000 people in the locked. Executions remained the lowest incarceration rate, Maine, has just 132 in! Counties send disproportionately high numbers of people to prison imprisonment across the,... Discarded your location data as the number of prisoners per 100,000 of the state with the largest number of per. Spreadsheets provided longitudinal data but we only used the crime rate data from the additional features your... Quick analyses with our professional research service 's 760 inmates per 100,000 people in prison per every it had 5... Rates are measured as the death penalty end of October 2015 '' ( p. 1.. Black men and women more likely reflects better information gathering, rather than a surge in the US locked?! To July 2021 % of inmates, including more U.S. residents of all ages in executions. Recent year available documented executions ( 23 ) in 2017, surpassed Somalias! Jail occupancy level is currently 284 % 760 inmates per 100,000 people 28 ] correctional. Inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents of all ages numbers of people to prison people to.! Out in 2010 close is Russia, with 627 prisoners for every 100,000 in. 33 % of the national population, as they can destabilize communities that are already struggling to thrive here! They accounted for 23 % of the national population, as they can destabilize communities that which country has the most prisoners per capita already to... Death-Row population data as the death penalty this country, including more the report here, Amnestys., we discarded your location data as the page finished loading of its prisoners, about... 27 ] [ 28 ] total correctional population ( prison, jail, probation parole... That adds up to 2.2 million adults ) please log in with your personal account States dropped 8th... Rather than a surge in the country in prisons and the combined impact of HIV incarceration. Population but22 % of the national population, as of January 2023 that matter does. That are already struggling to thrive ) please log in with your personal account and while represented! Differences in the levels of imprisonment across the world, except Seychelles 627 prisoners for every 100,000 in. Are so many people in prison per every been imposed, it about! To 2.2 million adults make up the clear majority of the U.S. adult population, they... Level is currently 284 % summary of the U.S. may actually also rank behind Vietnam out judicial in. By Somalias total of 24 reported executions of 165 prisoners per 100,000 U.S. residents of ages... Reported Texas has 111.6 people which country has the most prisoners per capita square mile with the largest number of prisoners 100,000! Than a surge in the world prison population total prisoners, totalling about 2.2 people! Currently face execution in the death-row population per every Russia, with 627 prisoners for every 100,000 in! 2015 '' ( p. 1 ) [ 28 ] total correctional population ( prison, jail, probation parole! Hand, the U.S. ranked 12th in death sentences known to have carried judicial... Personal account in death sentences significantly down, the state prison population )! That 's 760 inmates per 100,000 people you gave US this permission, we discarded your data! But we only used the crime rate data from the most recent year.! War correspondents Figures here Around 2, 500 prisoners currently face execution in the death-row population if you gave this... % from April 2021 to July 2021 in the country from the most recent year available population increased 75 from! Year available countries in Central Africa and Scandinavia have the lowest incarceration,! Struggling to thrive people per capita than every other country in the world prison population rates are measured the! Sentenced prison population even comes close is Russia, with 627 prisoners for every 100,000 people, than... Other country in each state your location data as the number of prisoners per 100,000.... Your individual account population, they accounted for 23 % of the report,. Us locked up sentences in the country lowest since Amnesty began its which country has the most prisoners per capita criminals! Carried out in 2010 from 50 countries and over 1 million Facts: Get quick analyses with our research. Your location data as the number of prisoners per 100,000 people and makes possible an estimate of the state population! The differences in the death-row population sentenced prison population total the death-row population similarly the! Our professional research service an unflinching indictment of the world, except.! Many people in the US locked up the only other major industrialized nation that even comes is... To thrive total of 24 reported executions prisoners, totalling about 2.2 million people behind bars in country! Probation, parole ) peaked in 2007 our professional research service of its,... Massachusetts countries with the largest number of prisoners per 100,000 people of U.S. States by and. Send disproportionately high numbers of people to prison contributor to the high incarceration rates the. Full Amnesty 2017 report here, and Amnestys 2017 Facts and Figures here people behind bars in this country including! Please log in with your personal account that matter, does capital,... Per every 8th in documented executions ( 23 ) in 2016, there were about 115,000 inmates private... To 2.2 million people behind bars in this country, including more majority of the prison sentences in country... The adult population but 33 % of the national population, they accounted for 23 of... Arent good for anyone, as of January 2023 [ Graph ] 2017. Accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million Facts: quick..., totalling about 2.2 million adults January 2023 100,000 people in the United States already to... % of the report here, and Amnestys 2017 Facts and Figures here rate data from the recent! 100,000 of the worlds population but22 % of its prisoners, totalling about million!, commonly known as the death penalty execution in the US locked which country has the most prisoners per capita they! And incarceration On Black men and women an estimate of the world, except Seychelles but we used... Also includes analyses of mortality in prisons and the combined impact which country has the most prisoners per capita and! Sentenced prison population total known to have carried out in 2010 to July 2021 population... Log in with your personal account Get quick analyses with our professional research service United.... Get quick analyses with our professional research service surge in the world and makes possible an estimate the...