This organization counted 2,068,800 US citizens incarcerated. That is an astounding 25% of the world’s total prison population. Keep in mind we comprise only 4.17% of the world’s total population in 2023, giving America the highest per capita rate of incarceration.
The sheer size of the prison business has spawned companies that gain huge profits while failing to provide adequate staff and scrimping on services. Prisoners are denied preventative medical care, suffer annual canteen price increases, and food with no fresh fruits or vegetables… EVER!
Private companies in the prison industry are regular political campaign contributors. Politicians, in turn, vote for laws that keep the prison profitable, either by making more arrests or lengthening sentences to keep prisoners from getting out.