Final answer:
While women represent a minority in prison populations, the percentage varies globally. The U.S. has both the highest incarceration rate and substantial disparities in rates among genders and ethnic groups. Long sentences and tough policies have influenced these statistics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women constitute a minority within prison populations worldwide, with rates varying by country. In the United States, which has the highest incarceration rate globally, women represent a relatively small proportion of the total prison population. Women in prison tend to face different challenges and disparities compared to their male counterparts, including racial and ethnic disparities. It is notable that the U.S. criminal justice system has been heavily criticized for its approach to incarceration, including the long prison sentences and the impact of 'tough on crime' policies which have contributed to a significant rise in the prison population over the past decades.
Furthermore, the presence of women in legislative bodies globally does not necessarily correlate with the percentage of women in prisons, although the participation of women in politics is indicative of gender equality developments. The U.S., for instance, lags behind in both the proportion of female legislators and the degree of disparity in incarceration rates among different genders and ethnic groups.
In most countries, the exact percentage of women in prisons is substantially less than that of men, reflecting broader social patterns and gender roles, as well as differences in criminal behavior and the criminal justice system's response to such behavior.