Introduktion
The state of the prison system in the United States today is a subject that demands our attention, regardless of whether one views it as effective or in dire need of a complete overhaul.

The facts, devoid of bias, tell a compelling story. Currently, an estimated 6.9 million individuals are under the supervision of adult correctional systems.

What's more striking is that while the United States constitutes a mere 5% of the world's population, it houses a staggering 20% of the world's prison population, earning it the dubious distinction of being the world's largest incarcerator.

Utdrag
If present trends persist, one in three Black males born today can anticipate spending time in prison during their lifetimes.

Approximately $70 billion is expended annually on corrections, with prisons and jails consuming a growing portion of the nearly $200 billion allocated for public safety.

The prison industry itself is expanding, with the number of privately operated prisons in the U.S. increasing by a staggering 1600% between 1990 and 2010.

Over half of the profits of these private prisons come from holding facilities for undocumented immigrants, often through contracts demanding minimum occupancy levels of over 90%, with the government footing the bill for empty beds.