Final answer:
The total number of people in state prisons across the United States is approximately 2.3 million. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with about 1 in every 100 Americans being locked up. Mass incarceration in the United States raises concerns about racial inequities and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total number of people in state prisons across the United States is approximately 2.3 million as of the end of 2018 (BJS 2020). This includes individuals who are incarcerated in state prisons, federal prisons, local jails, or related facilities. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with about 1 in every 100 Americans being locked up. The issue of mass incarceration in the United States has been a subject of debate, as it has raised concerns about racial inequities, social consequences, and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.