Record-High Ratio of Americans in Prison

Record-High Ratio of Americans in Prison

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For the first time in U.S. history, more than one of every 100 adults is in jail or prison, according to a new report documenting America's rank as the world's No. 1 incarcerator. It urges states to curtail corrections spending by placing fewer low-risk offenders behind bars.

Using state-by-state data, the report says 2,319,258 Americans were in jail or prison at the start of 2008 -- one out of every 99.1 adults. Whether per capita or in raw numbers, it's more than any other nation.

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Now this are alarming numbers.

According to Pew Center on the States, 50 states spent more than $49 billion on corrections - which is almost five times as much money being spent as 20 years ago. Apparently one out of every 100 adults ends up in a prison sometimes in their lives. And it looks like more non-white people behind bars.

Which means America is number one when compared to other countries; far more populous China has 1.5 million people behind bars. The U.S. also is among the world leaders in capital punishment: according to Amnesty International, its 53 executions in 2006 were exceeded only by China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq and Sudan.

Is America turning into a giant prison?

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