THE US IMPRISONS ITS PEOPLE AT AN EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH RATE
The US accounts for only 5% of the world population, but holds 20% of the world’s imprisoned population
The incarcerated population has increased 500% since 1970–far outpacing increases in population and crime
PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE IMPRISONED AT DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH RATES
1 out of 3 Black boys can expect to go to prison during their lifetime
1 out of 6 Latino boys can expect to go to prison during their lifetime
1 out of 17 white boys can expect to go to prison during their lifetime
INCARCERATION ISN’T JUST ABOUT TIME IN PRISON
Each year 650,000 people are released from prison. Upon release they face nearly 50,000 federal, state, and local legal restrictions that make it difficult to reintegrate back into society, most significantly, the potential loss of voting rights.
“THE NEW JIM CROW”
By imprisoning people of color at higher rates and subsequently restricting the rights of convicted felons, the American penal system has effectively created systematic disenfranchisement of African Americans.
80 BILLION DOLLARS
Our prison system costs taxpayers $80 billion a year.
This money could be spent building up, not further harming, communities. Investments, not incarceration, is how we improve safety.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES