Today, there are an estimated 40, and the number is growing. More people were executed in 1995 than during any other year in the last 30 years. As usual, African Americans, while composing 12 percent of the general U.S. population, represent 40 percent of the people on death row. These contractors realize major profits so long as the prisons are filled. Thus, the incentive to criminalize more and more of the population becomes primary, in order to keep the prisions full.
Women represent the fastest growing population in prisons.
Between 1980 and 1993, the population of women in prison increased 313 percent. The problems of poor medical care and lack of visitation with children and loved ones continue to aggravate women in prison. An Hispancic person is four times more likely to go to jail or prison in his or her lifetime than a white person. D.C. African Americans represent 12 percent of the U.S. population and 13 percent of its drug users. Yet, African Americans comprise 35 percent of all those arrested for drug possession and 55 percent of those convicted for drug possession.