Incarceration in the United States
Incarceration in the United States is one of the primary means of punishment for crime in the United States. In 2023, over five million people were under supervision by the criminal justice system, with nearly two million people incarcerated in state or federal prisons and local jails. The United States has the largest known prison population in the world, it has 5% of the world’s population, and 20% of the world’s incarcerated persons. China, with four times more inhabitants, has fewer persons in prison. Prison populations grew dramatically beginning in the 1970s, but began a decline around 2009, dropping 25% by year-end 2021.
Lines of men in prisoner's uniforms marching towards a building
Living facilities in Mule Creek State Prison (2006)
Inmates in an Orleans Parish Prison yard
Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Mississippi, operated by Corrections Corporation of America (CCA)
Elmira Correctional Facility
Elmira Correctional Facility, also known as "The Hill", is a maximum security state prison located in Chemung County, in the City of Elmira in the US state of New York. It is operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. A supermax prison, Southport Correctional Facility, is located 2 miles (3.2 km) away from Elmira.
Elmira Reformatory (circa 1897).