Sentencing: US Jail, Prison Population Hits Another Record High, Well Over Half a Million Drug Offenders Behind Bars
In its latest survey of US jails and prisons, the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reported at the end of March that the number of people behind bars in the US had set yet another all-time record. According to the BJS, there were nearly 2.4 million people imprisoned in the US on June 30 of last year, or one out of every 131 US residents.
[inline:prisondorm.jpg align=right caption="prison dorm"]More than 1.4 million people were locked up in state prisons and another 200,000 in the federal prison system. Additionally, almost 800,000 found themselves in jail at the end of last June.
This BJS report does not break down the numbers by offense categories. In state prison systems, drug offenders typically account for between 20% and 25% of all prisoners, and they account for well over half of all federal prisoners. Assuming the lowball figure of 20% and applying it to jail populations as well, the number of drug war POWs was somewhere in the neighborhood of 550,000.
While the prison population continued to increase, the rate of increase is slowing. During the first six months of 2008, it increased by 0.8%, compared to an increase of 1.6% during the same period the previous year. The rate of growth in jail populations was 0.7%, the lowest rate of increase since Ronald Reagan assumed the presidency in 1981.
Some 16 states, led by the sentencing reform states of California and Kentucky, actually saw decreases in prison populations. In 18 of the states reporting prison population growth, the average rate of growth (1.6%) was nearly half as low as the rate the previous year (3.1%) But in the 16 remaining states it was full-steam ahead, led by Minnesota (up 5.2%), Maine (up 4.6%), and Rhode Island and South Carolina (up 4.3%).
And even though the federal prison population passed the 200,000 mark, that may be running out of steam too. The growth rate of 0.8% was the lowest for any six-period since BJS began collecting the data in 1993, the year Bill Clinton assumed the presidency.
Still, since 2000, when US imprisonment levels were already at historic highs, the US prison and jail population has increased by a whopping 19%, or more than 373,000 prisoners. That is the equivalent of an entire medium-sized city, such as Wichita (pop. 360,000), Honolulu (pop. 375,000), or Raleigh (pop. 376,000) vanishing behind bars in less than a decade.
Of the 800,000 people in jails last June 30, 52% were housed in the nation's 180 largest jails, all with average daily populations exceeding 1,000 inmates. Nearly two-thirds (63%) were jailed awaiting court action or had not been convicted. More than a million people were jailed every month in the year ending last June 30, for a total of 13.6 million.
African-Americans continue to figure prominently and disproportionately in the inmate population. Black male prisoners accounted for 37% of the male prison population, and while that figure was down from 41% the previous year, it still shows black males being incarcerated at a rate 6.6 times that of white males.
Comments
Sentencing reform in California?
Excuse me, say again? Some 16 states, led by the sentencing reform states of California? What reform are you speaking of? California currently has 10,400 people serving outrageously long sentences for simple drug possession! Another 690 serving 25 years to life under its draconian Three Strikes Law for simple possession! Not trafficking or sales, just simple possession! I am unaware of any sentencing reform bills passed other than prop 36 in 2000. That diverted 40,000 people from prison! California is as I write this expanding its prisons to hold another 16,000 bodies. It already operates at 200% capacity. Tell me then why you would call California a sentencing reform state?
Another Record High
I just wish someone would do something about this instead of just talking about it. I guest it has to happen to one of their family members to get something done. I have heard some judges will not give out the 2 point reduction for some inmates. There have been men and women who have been in prison 10 or more years for drugs than a person who get in a car and drive drunk and kill someone that get less time than that, maybe probation or 2 years in prison. I am not saying it's right for anyone to sell drugs. If they get caught they need to do time but 10-30 years that is crazy.. Wow! I think that is a lot. They all are not bad people they just made poor choices. Why is it so hard to reinstate Federal Parole? You have it state prison. Rapist and Child molestors get off with less time. The rapist, murderer. drunk driver and child molestor victims don't have a choice but the addicks they have a choice if they want to do drugs or not. Why has this been going on so long? If the Lord gives us a second chance why can't society.
Prison Reform in California indeed !!!
There is NO prison reform in California. The bloated prison system is bankrupting our state and there is no relief in sight. We need and end to the drug war and politicians who will support sentencing reform and stand up to the fear mongers of the DA's office, the police and the CA Prison Guard's Union.
What reforms are there in California?
Oh, that's right ... they shipped 5,500 inmates out of state ... so that's reform. Avenal State prison in California is at 270% capacity. Most of the other 32 prisons are at, near or over 200% capacity and there is no relief in sight. California is broke suffering a $40 billion deficit and they still find money to add more prison cells. Insanity!
That prison picture is luxury compared to California conditions
Unreasonably long sentences, unjustified parole denials, replacing mental hospitals with prison time, and the broken, overwhelmed parole system is bankrupting California, the "State of Higher Incarceration". They are also ruining salvage lives and families and are making us less safe.
Senator Jim Webb of Pennsyvannia courageously introduced The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 to look at the entire U.S. justice system. Many polititians try to get reelected by being tough-on-crime (which turns into dumb-on-crime). You can voice your thoughts on his web site.
When two judges admit to taking $2.6 million dollars in bribes from private prisons for sending children to jail, it is time for all of us to fight back against the injustice of our justice system.
In reply to That prison picture is luxury compared to California conditions by Anonymous (not verified)
Jim Webb = Senator of
Jim Webb = Senator of Virginia
http://webb.senate.gov/
Kansas trying real reforms, not so California's horrific system
Kansas looks at inmates as individuals. They might parole someone who had been convicted of murder (a crime that is extremely rare to be commited a second time) if that person is no longer dangerous.
And, they may not parole someone convicted of a lessor crime if that person is considered dangerous. They support released ex-offenders so they can stay straight.
Califoria's effort to reform is pretty much limited to adding the word "rehabiliation" to the title "California Department of Corrections".
Does it Really...?
Who does prison relly help? The prisoner? society as a whole? It seems to help the polic & prison guards union a whoe lot...
I just want to know why a
I just want to know why a war was declared on drugs but none of us is allowed relief under geneva convention?not even norega and we kidnapped him and killed most everyone else the pdf didnt..
California needs reform!!
Here's a prime example: http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/37800/two-years-later-there-is-still-no-justice-for-deborah-peagler/comment/
A woman in jail since 1983 for a crime she didn't commit. A team of lawyers have spent 7 years advocating for her release and yet she's still in jail.
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