Criminal Justice Issues

Nationally

A Racial Divide: Crack Cocaine vs. Powder Cocaine
An independent panel is considering reducing the sentences of inmates incarcerated in federal prisons for crack cocaine offenses, which would make thousands of people immediately eligible to be freed. (For more information, see U.S. Sentencing Commission

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The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Current United States prison population is over 1.4 million. In 1970, it was 200,000. In 2002, the combined jail and prison population exceeded 2 million.

Based on statistics in 2002, 45% of state prisoners were African American and 18% Latino. 93% are male and 7% female. From 1986 to 1991 the number of African Americans imprisoned for state drug offenses increased 465%.

One in seven African American males is prohibited from voting due to current incarceration or prior incarceration.

The median educational level of released prisoners is 11th grade. 68% of state prisoners had not completed high school.

Approximately, 1,600 persons are released from incarceration every day.

More than 100,000 prisoners are released each year without any community supervision or rehabilitation.

The Federal prisoner population is 39% African American and 29% Latino.

The Death Penalty

The U.S. is the only Western Industrialized nation to execute prisoners. The death penalty is utilized by the federal government and 39 states. The means of death include hanging, firing squad, lethal weapon and electric chair. As of 1996, the United States had executed 3,069 persons. 1470 Whites; 1246 Blacks; 233 Latinos; 40 Asians. 
3,012 men and 49 women.

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics and Urban Institute