[Posted Dec. 12, 2007]

Black Prison Percentage
On Decline; Still High

(Taylor Media Services)

    In 2000 the percentage of the nation’s prison population composed of Black men stood at 43 percent even though Black males were only about 6.5 percent of America’s total population. However, according to Justice Department figures released last week, the Black male percentage of state and federal prison populations fell to 38 percent in 2006. It is not clear why the decline occurred. 
      Previously, there had been an increase in the number of Black women being incarcerated. But in 2006, the Black female percentage of the nation’s prison population also declined. And for what is believed to be the first time in at least 40 years, there was a slight increase in the number of white females being imprisoned. 
      Overall, one of every 31 adults in the United States was in prison, in jail or on supervised release at the end of last year. In absolute numbers, there were 2.38 million people incarcerated– an increase of 2.8 percent over 2005. Historically, America has imprisoned a greater number of its citizens than any other nation in the world. And despite the decline in the percentage of Blacks imprisoned, the Black incarceration rate remains at least ten times that for whites. 
     

To read other stories, subscribe to the New Journal and Guide.