Violent crime in the US decreased 3% in 2003 and has been declining for over a decade, though the murder rate increased slightly from 2004 to 2005. Overall crime has dropped 50% in the last 10 years. The US imprisons more of its population than any other country, with over 2 million incarcerated, and the recidivism rate within 3 years of release is 57%. Racial disparities exist in the criminal justice system, with African Americans making up a disproportionate percentage of the prison population compared to the general population.

1. CRIME

2. Violent Crime decreased 3% in 2003. That was the 11th year in a row it had dropped. It is the lowest since the FBI first reported stats in 1973. It declined 2% for the first 6 months of 2004.

3. Overall crime rate has dropped 50% in the last decade.

4. Murder rate increased 4 years in a row It increased 2.1 % in the first 6 months of 2005. The murder rate today is about the same as it was during the 1930’s.

5. 87% of all crimes are crimes against property.

6. Most crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

7. Homicide is the leading cause of death for blacks under 34 years of age. (89% of those deaths involve firearms)

8. Homicide is the second leading cause of death for all people aged 10 - 19. Accident is first.

9. In 1952, homicide was the 11th leading cause of death for all citizens. Today it ranks #10.

10. 71% of all murders involve the use of firearms. More teenage males die from gunshot wounds than from all natural causes combined

11. The US spends $163 Billion each year to fight crime. This is 2/3 of what it costs for national defense and is five times what the federal government spends on education

12. It costs $30,000/year to house a prisoner in PA. PA houses 40,000 inmates.

13. Prison population has doubled since 1990.

14. The US imprisons more people than any country in the world - 1 in 138 people are in prison. 1 in 31 are either presently imprisoned, on probation or on parole.

15. In state and federal prisons, 1 in 109 males are presently imprisoned. For women, the number is 1 in 1613. When county and local jails are included, the number for men is 1 in 75.

16. The US has <10 % of the world’s population but 22% of the world’s prison population

17. Recidivism Rate: 33% of those released from prison return within 1 year. Within 3 years of release, 57% return to prison.

18. The younger the age at first arrest, the higher the rate of recidivism

19. African Americans, about 13% of the population, account for 25% of all arrests (40% in PA) and 46 % of the prison population (whites make up 36%). 61% of the prison population belongs to a minority group

20. 6% of US population is black male 44% of US prison population is black male

21. 32% of black males aged 20-29 are either in jail, on probation or on parole. The rate for the population as a whole is 2.7% (1 out of 32 adults are presently in prison, on probation or on parole).

22. The odds are 1:3 that a black man will do time at some point is his life. It is 1:17 for a white man. The rate for Hispanic males is 1:6.

23. Whites account for 75% of the nation’s drug users. Blacks account for 75% of the nation’s drug prisoners.

24. Trafficking in 5 grams (.17 of an ounce) of crack carries a mandatory five-year prison sentence, but it takes 500 grams of cocaine powder (17.5 ounces) to warrant the same sentence.

25. 60% of Federal prisoners are serving time for drug offenses

26. Death row inmates: Whites: 46 % Blacks: 42% Hispanics: 10%

27. Executions for interracial murders since 1976: Black defendant, white victim: 179 White defendant, black victim: 12

28. Males account for 77% of all arrests in the US Males make up > 95% of the PA prison population.

29. 80% of juveniles who are sent to detention centers are there for committing misdemeanors.

30. 70% of juvenile offenders currently in long-term correctional facilities grew up in homes without a father present.

31. 25% of white children live with one parent. 67% of black children live with one parent.

32. Children who grew up in a single-parent family are twice as likely to later develop severe psychiatric illnesses, commit suicide or acquire an alcohol related disease.

33. Girls who grew up in a single-parent family are three times as likely to acquire a drug addiction. Boys are four times as likely.

34. Female inmates are twice as likely to be raped and six times as likely to be otherwise sexually abused while behind bars than their male counterparts.

35. Female inmates are most often sexually abused by other inmates. Male inmates are most often sexually abused by prison staff.