Many of the offenders are in poor health with no access to health care. Drug and alcohol abuse are a problem for virtually all of these offenders. Many offenders have repeatedly been the victims of crime. Their own crimes were usually unsophisticated and impulsive and brought small monetary reward, if any. I make no pretense that my studies are scientific or give an accurate account of the variety of offenders that are in the nation's many correctional systems.
Some offenders are extremely dangerous, maybe more so than ever.
They have been imprisoned for committing violent offenses involving weapons. Most of them have committed multiple offenses. They are not impulsive but appear to have decided to commit crimes. These are the offenders that receive media attention. This attention exaggerates the character of the offender population and the danger it poses.