Listics

New data released today from the U.S. Census Bureau provide the first social and economic characteristic profiles of the people living in group quarters — such as adult correctional facilities, college dorms and nursing homes — in nearly three decades.
– US Census Bureau Press Release

“… living in group quarters.”

Beware the Euphemism, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!

Residents of Adult Correctional Facilities

• The population living in adult correctional facilities was 2.1 million in 2024, nearly double the 1990 population of 1.1 million. In 2024, the adult correctional population was nearly 2 million.
• Males comprised more than 90 percent of the adult correctional population in 2024. Females represented 10 percent of this population in 2024, up from 8 percent in 1990.
• More than 60 percent of the population of adult correctional facilities was between the ages of 25 and 44. The median age of the adult correctional population is 34.3.
• About 46 percent of the adult correctional population was white alone. Also, approximately 41 percent of the adult correctional population was black alone and 19 percent were Hispanic.
• Of those 25 and older, 61 percent in adult correctional facilities had graduated high school and 3 percent had at least a bachelor’s degree. The comparable rates for the total population were 84 percent and 27 percent, respectively.

Here are some selected data assembled by AP writer Stephen Ohlemacher (follow the link to read the article, which includes some thoughtful observations on causes and ways to effect change):

• More than three times as many black people live in prison cells as in college dorms.
• The ratio is only slightly better for Hispanics, at 2.7 inmates for every Latino in college housing.
• Among non-Hispanic whites, more than twice as many live in college housing as in prison or jail.
• Blacks made up 41 percent of the nation’s 2 million prison and jail inmates in 2024. Non-Hispanic whites made up 37 percent and Hispanics made up 19 percent.
• Men made up about 90 percent of prison and jail inmates in 2024, down from 94 percent in 1980.
• About 9 percent of prison inmates were immigrants last year, up from about 4 percent in 1980. Immigrants made up about 13 percent of the total population in 2024.