Incarceration Rates

AbstractFrom 1974 to 2009, the United States experienced an unprecedented rise in incarceration as a method of correction. In particular, during this 35‐year period, prison populations rose by over 800%, and incarceration rates increased by over 400%. Despite this overarching trend, data have suggested a slight decline in incarceration rates beginning in 2009. Incarceration rates historically have been structured by sociodemographic variables, such as gender, race, and social class. While incarceration rates are appreciably higher for males, data suggest a slight, but consistent increase of the female segment of incarcerated populations. Trends point to a higher rate of incarceration for juveniles. Members of lower‐class minority groups – African Americans in particular – have been historically overrepresented in incarceration statistics, although there is substantial regional variation in those disparities.