Statistics of the Month - July Who's who in the U.S. Prison System? Statistics on Racial Discrepancies Black males were six times more likely to be held in custody than white males, and account for 35.4 percent of the prison population. Hispanic males were two times more likely to be held in custody than white males, and account for 17.9 percent of the prison population. With the exception of females ages 55-59, black women were held in custody at higher rates than Hispanic or white women across all age categories. Black males ages 30-34 had the highest custody incarceration rate of any race, age, or gender group. The national incarceration rate for whites is 412 per 100,000 residents, compared to 2, 290 for Blacks, and 742 for Hispanics. These figures mean that 2.3 percent of all Blacks are incarcerated, compared to 0.4 percent of whites and 0.7 percent of Hispanics. Black males have a 32 percent chance of serving time in prison at some point in their lives; Hispanic males have a 17 percent chance; white males have a six percent chance. Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics The Sentencing Project Disclaimer: Although we try to use the most credible sources, we are not responsible for any incorrect findings. Read more: Find out how incarceration affects workplace diversity. Check out, "Business case for diversity: The American Gulag as a diversity issue. Part one of a two-part series." By Kimberlee Jensen. For more information, check out, "Discrimination: Prison labor: Right or wrong?" By Kimberlee Jensen. June statistics - Homosexual partnerships in the U.S. May statistics - Business: Where have Asian-Americans positioned themselves? April statistics - What religions do Americans identify with? March statistics - In which industries do women own the most firms? February statistics - Where do African Americans own businesses? January statistics - Hispanic-owned businesses on rise in US December statistics - Do you know America? Where are people of color living? November statistics - Cultural preservation and financial instability: Top concerns for American Indians October statistics - Surprising facts on workers who are disabled September statistics - Hispanic American population, businesses exploding For more on Hispanic Americans, read "Hispanic Legacies in American Culture." August statistics - GLBT Students School Climate Survey July statistics - What do Muslim Americans really think? June statistics - What does marriage cost GLBT? May statistics - Which group of women is the fastest growing in the U.S. labor force? April statistics - People of Color in the Workplace March statistics - Quick Facts on Nontraditional Occupations for Women February statistics - Health of Black or African American Population January statistics - Whites, Latinos and Blacks Life Satisfaction December statistics - Hunger and Poverty around the world November statistics - Native Americans October statistics - Americans with disabilities September statistics - Latin American Women Want more statistics on a variety of topics? Visit our Diversity Statistics page.

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