Saturday, February 18, 2012

Is There Something Wrong With This?

There are approximately 102,319 prisoners in Florida prisons (as of 6/30/11).  The 2010 general population in Florida numbered 18,801,310.
California has approximately 143,778 prisoners in custody (as of 1/31/12). The 2010 general population in California numbered 37,253,956.


Isn't it a curious fact that Florida and California have a very similar number of inmates when California's general population is twice that of Florida.

Are the Florida people so much more criminal than those in California?

Or could there be another reason for this?  Would love to read your comments. Thanks.

2 comments:

  1. That is fascinating. I guess it might depend on what most people are in prison for in each state and the average age of the inmates. Something to think about... I would have expected Florida to be lower...

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

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    1. Have a look at the Pew Center report which singled out Florida for excessive sentences and costs to taxpayers above all other stste:

      http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-05/news/os-pew-prisoners-study-20120606_1_prison-sentences-sentences-for-nonviolent-offenders-prison-releases

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