According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Mississippi has the highest number of individuals who experience prison as part of their reality compared to any other state.
According to a report released by the DOJ in late 2023, an analysis of data from prisons in 2021 and 2022 revealed that the United States has an incarceration rate of 311 per 100,000 residents. In comparison, Mississippi has a significantly higher rate of 661 people per 100,000. It is noteworthy that Mississippi is one of only four states where over 1% of its male residents are serving sentences of more than one year in state prison.
The overall prison population in the United States saw a 2.1% increase between the end of 2021 and 2022. Notably, Mississippi experienced a significant rise of 14.3%. Here is a breakdown of the numbers.
United States
2021: A Year of New Beginnings
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- Overall: 1,205,087
- Male: 1,121,436
- Female: 83,651
2022
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- Overall: 1,230,143
- Male: 1,142,359
- Female: 87,784
Change
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- Overall: 25,056 (2.1%)
- Male: 20,923 (1.9%)
- Female: 4,133 (4.9%)
Mississippi
In the year 2021, significant events and developments took place across various fields. From technological advancements to social and environmental changes, the year was marked by several noteworthy occurrences. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key highlights of 2021.
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- Overall: 17,332
- Male: 16,116
- Female: 1,216
2022
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- Overall: 19,802
- Male: 18,208
- Female: 1,594
Change:
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- Overall: 2,470 (14.3%)
- Male: 2,092 (13.0%)
- Female: 378 (31.1%)
Mississippi is home to approximately 0.86% of the male population and 0.9% of the female population in the country. Interestingly, when it comes to incarceration, the state stands out even more. In 2021, Mississippi accounted for 1.44% of the male prison population and 1.45% of the female prison population in the United States. Shockingly, these numbers rose to 1.59% and 1.82% respectively in 2022. This means that Mississippi not only holds the highest imprisonment rate per capita nationwide, but it also witnessed the largest increase in its overall prison population between 2021 and 2022.
By the end of 2022, Mississippians accounted for more than 83% of the country’s total prison population, which is significantly higher than Mississippi’s share of the overall population. Furthermore, the state’s proportion of incarcerated women in the United States was more than double its share of women in the country’s overall population.
Despite the high rates of incarceration in Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) has taken steps to implement programs aimed at rehabilitating prisoners. In May 2023, MDOC introduced a centralized group of vocational programs with the goal of providing inmates with the necessary skills to pursue careers as welders, electricians, construction workers, and more upon their release. Furthermore, in October, MDOC established a licensed cosmetology school within its Greenwood facility, offering prisoners the opportunity to learn and develop skills in the field of cosmetology.
