Visualizing Overcrowded Prisons

The data for this visualization is from the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, State of California.

California's 2008 data is due out in July 2008. Prison overcrowding is expected to increase even more.

The U.S. Incarceration Mentality

The Bureau of Justice statistics on Prisoners in 2005 says Federal prisons were operating at 34% above capacity. State prisons were operating between 1% below and 14% above capacity.

This was 3 years ago.

Why the high rate? Possibilities include:

• 3-strikes rule
• War on drugs
• Probations extending many years
• Politicians "getting tough on crime"
• Mandatory sentencing

See the map below to see the projected 2006 incarceration rate by U.S. state.