We’ve long known that the United States is an outlier for our high rates of incarceration, yet for too long the impact on families has been ignored. Nearly half of all people in our country have had an immediate family member in prison or jail—and when incarceration touches families, the costs are steep. People with a currently incarcerated loved one spend almost $4,200 per year to support their family members, and that number rises to $8,000 a year for Black family members.
Our groundbreaking research shows that while incarceration does not affect all Americans equally, its effects are widespread and commonly felt. At this pivotal moment for our country, understanding the reach and impact of incarceration on American families is more important than ever.
