International Corrections

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By Terry Campbell, Professor, Purdue University Global

Published: 05/13/2019

We have another great topic this month; International Corrections. The article provides corrections personnel with a global overview of corrections. I always find it interesting and worth my time to review corrections global statistics and initiatives. This allows me the opportunity to compare and contrast corrections in the United States and throughout the world. Below are some areas I have an interest in and see how these compare with your interests:

Adequate funding for staffing and security
Staffing problems and concerns
Contraband
Programming
Security threat groups
Technology in corrections
Visitation
Training
Security and control
Release and supervision
Lockdown/segregation
Handling disruptive/violent inmates
Youthful offenders
Females incarcerated
Prison overcrowding
Prison population demographics

Each of the areas above is a possible monthly topic. At the same time we have to consider many of the areas discussed are limited by funding. In many cases, there is limited information available. One research area I want to begin with and discuss is the “World Prison Population List” twelfth edition by Roy Walmsley.

This brief contains information for ‘the number of prisoners held in 223 prison systems in independent countries and dependent countries.’ The data provided is from September 2018. Information is currently not available or is incomplete for the following countries; Eritrea, Somalia and North Korea. Anyone interested in imprisonment will find this information beneficial.

I selected several key areas to focus on: The world prison population is approximately 10.7-11 million. Some areas have incomplete or limited information available: Eritrea, Somalia and Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, China, and Guinea Bissau. Also, we must consider some prisoners are ‘held under authorities not recognized internationally.’ The number below will provided an overview for some of the world prison populations.

United States of America	2.1 million prisoners
China	1.65 million prisoners (unknown number in detention)
Brazil	690,000 prisoners
Russian Federation	583,000 prisoners
India	420,000 prisoners
Thailand	354,000 prisoners
Indonesia	249,000 prisoners
Turkey	233,000 prisoners
Iran	230,000 prisoners
Mexico	204,000 prisoners
Philippines	188,000 prisoners

The following number are also interesting and based upon ‘highest prison population rate.’ (Number of prisoners per 100,000 of the national population.)

United States	655 per 100,000
El Salvador	604 per 100,000
Turkmenistan	552 per 100,000
U.S. Virgin Islands	542 per 100,000
Thailand	526 per 100,000
Cuba	510 per 100,000
Maldives	499 per 100,000
Northern Mariana Islands (U.S.)	482 per 100,000
British Virgin Islands	470 per 100,000
Guam (U.S.)	404 per 100,000
Russian Federation	402 per 100,000

Again, some interesting numbers for us to consider and compare. The data reflects “Prison population rates vary considerable between different regions of the world and between different parts of the same continent. Example: In Africa, the median rate for western African countries is 53 whereas for southern African countries it is 244.” This is also reflective in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. (For additional information, please see the ‘World Prison Population List, twelfth edition.’

In the last 20 years, the world’s prison population has increased by 24%. Some parts of the world have seen larger increases while other countries have a decrease.

The information I provided should pique your interest into further research and data review in world prisons. We are beginning to see an increase in world prison research. Policy researchers, criminologists, administrators, and others, can utilize this data in a variety of ways. Regardless of the location, prisons present many safety and security concerns. We can learn what is working, not working, etc. I provided some additional sites below for you to consider and utilize if interested.

Thanks and stay safe out there.
Terry

World Prison Population List: http://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/wppl_12.pdf
International Corrections and Prisons Association: https://icpa.org/icpa-events/
Technology in Corrections: www.corrections-technology.com

Terry Campbell is a criminal justice professor at Purdue University Global and has more than 20 years of experience in corrections and policing. He has served in various roles, including prison warden and parole administrator, for the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Terry may be reached at tcampbell@purdueglobal.edu.

Other articles by Campbell

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