Incarceration in Real Numbers

About

Incarceration in real numbers is a data visualization project by Matt Korostoff. It is not affiliated with or sponsored by any organization. It launched in autumn 2020.

A word about words

The terms "jail" and "prison" are not interchangeable. A jail is a place where accused criminals are held while awaiting trial, or where convicted criminals serve short sentences for minor crimes. Jails are typically operated by county or city governments. A prison is an institution where convicted criminals are held for serious crimes, typically serving sentences of a year or more. Prisons are typically operated by the federal or state governments. Rikers Island is a jail. Sing sing is a prison.

Alternate Versions

• Click here to view a version with just the icons, without all the commentary
• Github user SMSadegh19 has published a version translated into Persian.

Table of Contents

Understanding the size of the problem

• Incarceration per capita
• Incarceration in absolute numbers
• Incarceration compared to casualties of war
• Total correctional population
• Over-use of plea bargains
• People held without trial
• Comparison to Europe
• Comparison to USSR
• Racial Disparities
• Comparison to police shooting
• Discussion of George Floyd
• Comparison to Estimated Incarceration Abroad
• Political commentary on the nature of freedom

Solutions to mass incarceration

• Impact on public safety
• Impact of reduced criminalization
• Impact of preventative strategies
• Table comparing preventative and punitive strategies
• Commentary on the importance of preventative measures

Sources and Methodology

See SOURCES.md

Related works

Incarceration in Real Numbers is part of my ongoing war on scope insensitivity. If you enjoyed this project, you may also enjoy Wealth Shown To Scale and Hundred Thousand Faces.