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According to new statistics released by the Justice Department, a record 7 million adults nationwide were either in prison or jail, were on probation, or parole at the end of 2005.

This number amounts to about one in every 32 people in the United States. Furthermore, statistics show there was an increase of nearly three percent of people behind bars from the previous year.

Other statistics include:

·    2,193,798 adults serving prison or jail time in 2005
·    4.1 million Americans were on probation in 2005
·    784,208 people were on parole in 2005
·    More men than women in prison
·    Increase of 2.6 percent females in federal prison
·    Increase of 1.9 percent males

“Today’s figures fail to capture incarceration’s impact on the thousands of children left behind by mothers in prison,” said Marc Mauer, executive director of the Sentencing Project, a group advocating criminal justice reform. “Misguided policies that create harsher sentences for nonviolent drug offenses are disproportionately responsible for the increasing rates of women in prisons and jails.”

Between 1995 and 2003, 49 percent of the federal prison population growth was due to drug offenses.

Accused of a drug crime? Please contact us today to speak with a qualified and caring criminal law lawyer who can inform you of your legal rights and options. 

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