Between 1980 and 2019, the number of incarcerated women in the U.S. increased by 700%. When considering the latest available data from 2020, the increase since 1980 reduces to 475% due to COVID-related correctional policy changes. Regardless, women continue to be the fastest growing segment of the criminal justice system (The Sentencing Project, 2022).
References cited:
The Sentencing Project. (2022, May). Incarcerated women and girls. Fact sheets. Author.
https://www.sentencingproject.org/fact-sheet/incarcerated-women-and-girls/