• The total population of U.S. federal and state prisons and local jails in 2000 exceeded 2,000,000 people. When the 4.5 million people on parole and probation are included, the total is 6.5 million representing a 240% increase since 1980.

• The United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world at 699 inmates per 100,000 population. This surpasses Russia’s rate of 644 and South Africa’s of 400 and compares unfavorably to the United Kingdom at 125, Canada at 110 and Japan at 40.

• These increase are primarily due to mandatory sentencing policies such as mandatory minimums, three-strikes and truth in sentencing, rather than increasing crime rates.

• 52% of U.S. prison inmates are housed for non-violent offenses related to drugs, property or public disorder/other.

Sources:
The Sentencing Project
Bureau of Justice Statistics