According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice, more than two million men and women are now behind bars in the United States. The country that holds itself out as the "land of freedom" incarcerates a higher percentage of its people than any other country.
|
Background Briefing
US: More Than Two Million People Incarcerated
A Human Rights Watch Backgrounder
Your tax deductible gift can help stop human rights violations and save lives around the world.
Region / Country
Topic
More Reading
-
March 11, 2026
Bahrain Should Urgently Release Prisoners Amid Airstrikes
-
December 18, 2025
US: Masked Federal Agents Undermine Rule of Law
Reports
-
November 12, 2025
“You Have Arrived in Hell”
Torture and Other Abuses Against Venezuelans in El Salvador’s Mega Prison
-
February 10, 2022
“How Can You Throw Us Back?”
Asylum Seekers Abused in the US and Deported to Harm in Cameroon
Most Viewed
-
November 16, 2017
“All of My Body Was Pain”
-
March 9, 2026
Lebanon: Israel Unlawfully Using White Phosphorus
-
November 25, 2019
A Dirty Investment
-
August 26, 2020
“The Air is Unbearable”
-
July 25, 2017
“I Want to Be Like Nature Made Me”
