Incarceration nation
What has happened to the number of sentenced inmates in federal custody (federal prisoners) over the past 30 years?
How accurate was your prediction?
What is the big trend over the past 30 years?
Why do you think that is?
What is one consequence of this trend?
Who pays for this all?
Is this good news?
What is one thing a president could do about this?
What is one thing a citizen could do about this?
What is one piece of information about American incarceration that is NOT included in this data that would be helpful to know to better understand the complete picture?
Based on the data from the chart, which president would you hold most responsible for increasing the number of federal prisoners?
Describe the trend in the number of federal inmates during President Obama's time in office?
Why do you think that is?
Recently, a coalition of liberals and conservatives banded together to reduce the federal prison population. Explain what liberals and conservatives could agree on regarding prison reform.
What do you imagine the trend has been like under Donald Trump?
If you were president explain whether you would try to increase or decrease the federal prison population.
In a country like Finland or Norway, criminals are not incarcerated in American style prisons, but live in rehabilitation centers where they are generally allowed to come and go as they please. Explain whether you think that sort of incarceration system would work in the US.
Learning Extension
Read the Pew Research Center's report on incarceration.
Action Extension
Contact Donald Trump and express your opinion about whether or not he should follow President Obama's direction of reducing the federal prison population.
Visual Extension
Our World In Data Extension
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