Incarceration refers to the imprisonment or jailing of a person. Incarceration does not necessarily mean that the person committed the crime for which they are incarcerated. Rather, it means that they are suspected and possibly guilty of a crime.

Number Of People Incarcerated

The United States is said to be the country with the highest proportion of incarcerated population in the world. According to the United States Bureau of Justice and Statistics, 2,310,984 prisoners were held in federal or state prisons between 2000 and 2007.

Statistical Likelihood of Incarceration

In the United States, 1 of every 15 persons (6.6 percent) will be incarcerated at some point in their lifetime, according to the Bureau of Justice, Criminal Offenders Statistics 2008 report.

Demographics of the Incarcerated

Women accounted for 12 percent of the inmates in local jails across the United States, according to the 2008 U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report on incarceration. According to the same report, minorities accounted for 65 percent of those incarcerated in U.S. prisons.

Offenses of the Incarcerated

Approximately half of the people incarcerated in United States jails and prisons were held for violent offenses, and 20 percent were incarcerated for drug offenses. The remaining 30 percent of incarcerated people were being held for offenses related to public disorder or property theft, according to the 2008 U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Use of Jails for Incarceration Vs. Prisons

In most jurisdictions in the United States, jails are used for those to be incarcerated for a short time (usually 3 to 5 days). Prisons are generally used to house those who will remain incarcerated for a longer time period.

Source:

Prison Statistics

1 in 100 U.S. Adults Behind Bars, New Study Says - New York Times

Hoover Institution - Facts on Policy - Incarceration Rate

Resource:

Treatment vs. Incarceration