The Growth of Incarceration in the United States: Exploring Causes and Consequences

The U.S. has the largest per capita prison population in the world and houses over 500,000 more persons in prison than any other country. This extensive study analyzes the causes and effects of the U.S. prison population and why it has increased from 200,000 to 1.5 million over a four decade period starting in 1973. It looks at correlations between the prison population and demographics such as race, social status, and education. It also describes the negative consequences that high rates of imprisonment have on persons incarcerated, families, communities, and society at large.