https://pixabay.com/users/MarcelloRabozzi-2003568/
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Information from https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/incarceration-rates-by-country/#dataTable
“The United States is the world leader in incarceration, despite the nationwide incarceration rate being at its lowest in 20 years, with about 25% of the world’s prison population being in the US. The United States currently has over 2.1 million total prisoners.
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The prison population in 1972 was 200,000, almost 2 million less than it is today.
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.Mass incarceration in the United States is a civil rights issue, as many argue that incarceration dehumanizes poor people and minorities, does not increase public safety, and damages already marginalized communities.
Around the world, many countries have jail occupancy rates over 100%. Kenya’s jail occupancy level is currently 284%.”
Country …………..Total………….Prisoners
……………….Number………..Per……..Occupancy
……………….Prisoners…...100,0000……Level
United States 2,193,798 737 107.60%
Russia 874,161 615 79.50%
Ukraine 162,602 350 101.30%
South Africa 158,501 334 138.60%
Poland 89,546 235 124.40%
Mexico 214,450 196 133.90%
Brazil 371,482 193 150.90%
Spain 63,991 144 129.50%
Kenya 47,036 130 284.30%
Netherlands 21,013 128 95.60%
Australia 25,790 125 105.90%
Portugal 12,765 120 103.70%
China 1,548,498 118 0.00%
Austria. 8,766 105 107.20%
Italy 61,721 104 131.50%
Germany 77,166 94 96.50%
Turkey 65,458 91 77.40%
Belgium 9,597 91 110 60%
France 52,009 85 109.90%
Switzerland 6,111 83 93.40%
Sweden 7,450 82 102.70%
Finland 3,954 75 112.40%
Norway 3,048 66 92.10%
Japan 79,052 62 105.90%
Nigeria 40,444 30 101.50%
India 332,112 30 139.00%
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My two cents: China has 4 times our population, however we incarcerate more people,. 737 per 100,000 compared to only 118 for China.
India has three times our population, but only incarcerates 332,112 compared to our 2,193,798. 737 per 100,000 to India’s 30.
We incarcerate almost seven times as many people than India, a country of a billion, compared to our three hundred million.
America incarcerates more people of color, impacting minorities and our poor neighborhoods.
Posted by E on June 16, 2020 at 6:16 pm
Yes and half a million more are homeless. After long term mental health facilities were defunded in the late 90’s and early 2000’s those in need of speciality care (which we have historically failed to provide) ended up in jail or on the streets. Untreated childhood trauma is now directly correlated to a spectrum of social disparities, including criminal behavior. People we imprison need treatment not punishment.
Posted by Marty on June 16, 2020 at 6:19 pm
I agree
Suffering seems to be overlooked
Out of sight out of mind
Private prisons for profit another issue
Posted by E on June 16, 2020 at 7:31 pm
100% yes.