Recent statistics show 1 percent of Americans are incarcerated, according to a report by the Pew Center on the States from CNN.com.
The report says approximately 2,319,258 adults were in U.S. prisons or jails at the beginning of 2008, which is one out of 99.1 adults.
This is more people incarcerated than any other country in the world.
“America has a lock (them) up, throw away the key mentality,” said Brian Corbett, public information manager at the Alabama Department of Corrections. “The general public expects to put criminals behind bars.”
There are many reasons for this increase in incarceration. The most obvious is the war on drugs.
“There are so many reasons for this growing trend, but no where is the incarceration rate more prevalent than because of drugs,” said Chuck Faupel, a professor in the criminology department.
Corbett said the drug war, drug crimes and convictions and Alabama’s strict sentencing laws are all reasons for high incarceration levels.
According to the ADOC Web site, 23 percent of people in prison are incarcerated for drugs and other crimes, 48.8 percent for personal crimes and 28.2 percent for property crimes.
Also according to the Web site, a total of 29,235 inmates were assigned to ADOC as of Aug. 31, 2007. Approximately 2,200 of the inmates are female, while 27,035 inmates are male.
“In the U.S., we’re growing and increasing policy to make us feel good and safe,” Faupel said.
According to the Pew Center report, one out of 30 men is incarcerated, and one out of nine African American men is incarcerated.
The United States spent an estimated $49 billion on corrections last year, which is six times greater than higher education spending, according to the report.
Corbett said Alabama spends the least money percentage on corrections out of all 50 states. This percent is proportionate to Alabama’s general fund and the general funds of other states.
“The 2008 budget was roughly $4.2 million,” Corbett said.
The Alabama Department of Corrections Web site said it cost $13,417.40, or $36.76 per day, to house an ADOC inmate in 2006.
According to the American Correctional Association, this is “one of the lowest cost-per-day rates in the country.”
