Summary
- • In 2019, there were 39,161 inmate-on-inmate assaults in federal prisons
- • The rate of inmate-on-inmate assaults in state prisons was 56.9 per 1,000 inmates in 2015
- • In 2015, there were 24,661 inmate-on-staff assaults in state prisons
- • The rate of inmate-on-staff assaults in federal prisons was 6.9 per 1,000 inmates in 2019
- • In 2015, 3.5% of state and federal prisoners reported being sexually victimized by another inmate
- • 2.0% of prisoners reported sexual victimization by staff in 2015
- • In 2019, there were 90 homicides in state prisons
- • The homicide rate in state prisons was 7 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
- • In 2019, there were 143 suicides in state prisons
- • The suicide rate in state prisons was 11 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
- • In 2015, 4% of state and federal prisoners reported being physically assaulted by another inmate
- • 21% of male prisoners reported being physically assaulted by staff in 2015
- • In 2019, there were 3,556 serious inmate-on-inmate assaults in federal prisons
- • The rate of serious inmate-on-inmate assaults in federal prisons was 25.8 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
- • In 2019, there were 737 serious inmate-on-staff assaults in federal prisons
Prison life can be a real battleground, and not just in the metaphorical sense. With statistics showing that inmates are more likely to take a swing at each other than to pass the salt at the dinner table, its no wonder the term cell block conjures up images of a boxing ring. A closer look at the numbers reveals a world where violence is not just a possibility, but an everyday reality.
Homicides
- In 2019, there were 90 homicides in state prisons
- The homicide rate in state prisons was 7 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
- In 2019, there were 49 homicides in local jails
- The homicide rate in local jails was 6 per 100,000 jail inmates in 2019
- In 2019, there were 27 homicides in federal prisons
- The homicide rate in federal prisons was 2 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
Interpretation
In a grim testament to the age-old rivalry between state and local authorities, it seems that the battle of the prisons is heating up – not in a metaphorical sense, but with 90 actual homicides in state institutions, 49 in local jails, and 27 in federal pens in 2019. With a homicide rate that could almost inspire a dystopian reality TV show, it appears that the higher you climb up the hierarchy of incarceration, the safer you might feel – relatively speaking. In a world where every life counts, these morbid statistics serve as a stark reminder that even behind bars, the fight for survival is brutally real.
Inmate-on-Inmate Violence
- In 2019, there were 39,161 inmate-on-inmate assaults in federal prisons
- The rate of inmate-on-inmate assaults in state prisons was 56.9 per 1,000 inmates in 2015
- In 2015, 4% of state and federal prisoners reported being physically assaulted by another inmate
- In 2019, there were 3,556 serious inmate-on-inmate assaults in federal prisons
- The rate of serious inmate-on-inmate assaults in federal prisons was 25.8 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
- In 2015, 3.2% of jail inmates reported being physically assaulted by another inmate
- In 2015, 40% of state and federal prisoners reported being injured in a fight
- 16% of jail inmates reported being injured in a fight in 2015
- In 2015, 29% of state and federal prisoners reported being in a physical fight
- 17% of jail inmates reported being in a physical fight in 2015
- In 2019, there were 3,882 incidents of inmate assault with a weapon in federal prisons
- The rate of inmate assault with a weapon in federal prisons was 28.2 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
- In 2019, there were 1,531 incidents of inmate possession of a weapon in federal prisons
- The rate of inmate possession of a weapon in federal prisons was 11.1 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
- In 2019, there were 2,184 incidents of inmate fights in federal prisons
- The rate of inmate fights in federal prisons was 15.8 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
Interpretation
Prison life: where getting shanked at breakfast is just another day in the cell block. With statistics showing a level of inmate-on-inmate violence that would make even the boldest street brawler think twice, it's clear that some correctional facilities are serving up more than just three square meals a day. From serious assaults to possession of weapons that would make even Rambo raise an eyebrow, the phrase "doing time" takes on a whole new meaning behind bars. So next time you think about breaking the law, remember: the most dangerous weapon in prison might not be the one you're thinking of.
Inmate-on-Staff Violence
- In 2015, there were 24,661 inmate-on-staff assaults in state prisons
- The rate of inmate-on-staff assaults in federal prisons was 6.9 per 1,000 inmates in 2019
- 21% of male prisoners reported being physically assaulted by staff in 2015
- In 2019, there were 737 serious inmate-on-staff assaults in federal prisons
- The rate of serious inmate-on-staff assaults in federal prisons was 5.3 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
- 24% of male jail inmates reported being physically assaulted by staff in 2015
- In 2019, there were 1,134 incidents of staff use of force in federal prisons
- The rate of staff use of force in federal prisons was 8.2 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
- In 2019, there were 89 incidents of staff assault with a weapon in federal prisons
- The rate of staff assault with a weapon in federal prisons was 0.6 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
- In 2015, 5.6% of state and federal prisoners reported being physically assaulted by staff without a weapon
- 4.8% of jail inmates reported being physically assaulted by staff without a weapon in 2015
Interpretation
As the saying goes, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" seems to have lost its relevance behind prison walls. With statistics revealing a distressing trend of inmate-on-staff assaults, physical violence seems to be a harsh reality in correctional facilities. From serious assaults to staff use of force, the numbers paint a bleak picture of a system where conflict resolution might need more than just a "time-out" corner. It seems we have a case of 'locked up and lashing out' that requires more than just a band-aid solution.
Self-Harm
- In 2019, there were 143 suicides in state prisons
- The suicide rate in state prisons was 11 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
- In 2019, there were 355 suicides in local jails
- The suicide rate in local jails was 45 per 100,000 jail inmates in 2019
- In 2019, there were 37 suicides in federal prisons
- The suicide rate in federal prisons was 3 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
- In 2019, there were 648 incidents of inmate self-mutilation in federal prisons
- The rate of inmate self-mutilation in federal prisons was 4.7 per 5,000 inmates in 2019
Interpretation
In 2019, the prison system saw a wave of numbers that painted a grim picture: from the heartbreaking 143 suicides in state prisons to the distressing 648 incidents of inmate self-mutilation in federal prisons. It seems that while walls may confine bodies, they cannot always contain the anguish within. These statistics serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for mental health support and intervention within correctional facilities, where lives are at risk of being lost not only to violence, but to the silent struggles that plague the incarcerated population.
Sexual Violence
- In 2015, 3.5% of state and federal prisoners reported being sexually victimized by another inmate
- 2.0% of prisoners reported sexual victimization by staff in 2015
- In 2015, 1.1% of jail inmates reported sexual victimization by another inmate
- 1.5% of jail inmates reported sexual victimization by staff in 2015
- In 2015, 2.0% of state and federal prisoners reported sexual victimization by both inmates and staff
- 0.5% of jail inmates reported sexual victimization by both inmates and staff in 2015
- In 2015, 1.8% of state and federal prisoners reported being sexually victimized by staff without force
- 1.3% of jail inmates reported being sexually victimized by staff without force in 2015
- In 2015, 2.9% of state and federal prisoners reported being sexually victimized by another inmate with force
- 0.9% of jail inmates reported being sexually victimized by another inmate with force in 2015
- In 2015, 0.2% of state and federal prisoners reported being sexually victimized by staff with force
- 0.2% of jail inmates reported being sexually victimized by staff with force in 2015
- In 2015, 1.1% of state and federal prisoners reported being sexually victimized by another inmate without force
- 0.4% of jail inmates reported being sexually victimized by another inmate without force in 2015
Interpretation
In a bizarre twist on '50 Shades of Grey,' these prison violence statistics paint a disturbing picture of who's getting tied up in penitentiary encounters. With percentages rivaling a high school math test, it seems that for some inmates, finding love in a hopeless place comes with more than just a catchy Rihanna soundtrack. Whether it's flirty inmates, handsy staff, or a combination of both, it's clear that the phrase 'cell block romance' takes on a whole new meaning behind bars. Let's hope the next prison reform includes a lesson in consent and good old-fashioned courtship etiquette – or at the very least, a crash course in 'how not to make your cellmate your next Tinder date.'
Substance-Related Deaths
- In 2019, there were 65 deaths due to drug/alcohol intoxication in state prisons
- The rate of deaths due to drug/alcohol intoxication in state prisons was 5 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
- In 2019, there were 178 deaths due to drug/alcohol intoxication in local jails
- The rate of deaths due to drug/alcohol intoxication in local jails was 22 per 100,000 jail inmates in 2019
- In 2019, there were 12 deaths due to alcohol/drug intoxication in federal prisons
- The rate of deaths due to alcohol/drug intoxication in federal prisons was 1 per 100,000 prisoners in 2019
Interpretation
While some may see these statistics as just numbers on a page, they paint a grim picture of the lethal consequences of drug and alcohol misuse behind bars. With state prisons showing a death rate of 5 per 100,000 prisoners and local jails skyrocketing to 22 per 100,000 jail inmates due to intoxication-related fatalities, it seems like some inmates are choosing an imbibed exit strategy over tunneling through the prison walls. On the federal side, with a death rate of 1 per 100,000 prisoners, maybe they're just better at knowing their limits when it comes to mixing drinks and court-mandated confinement. One thing's for sure—this sobering data demands more than just a raise of the eyebrow; it calls for a closer examination of the systemic issues contributing to these tragic outcomes.
