United States

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With 748 citizens in prison for every 100,000 people, the United States has one of the most draconian criminal justice systems in the world. Racial inequality continues to be a startling characteristic of the system. The likelihood of black males going to prison in their lifetime is 16% compared to 2% of white males and 9% of Hispanic males.

Indigent defendants in the United States are also entitled to free counsel under the U.S. Supreme Court decision Gideon v. Wainwright. Nonetheless, recent budget cuts across the United States have left public defenders poorly paid and struggling to represent clients effectively with enormous caseloads.

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QUICK FACTS

• 2009 Prison Population: 2,297,400 / 748 people per 100,000, the highest in the world on a per capita basis
• 200,000 of these prisoners are over 50 years of age
• 110.1% prison occupancy level (based on official capacity)