U.S. Imprisonment Trends and Statistical Analysis in Carson’s 2019 Report

Summary of the Article

The paper called “Prisoner in 2019,” written by Carson (2020), is deemed to present the results of the extended analysis of the improvement rates in 2019 compared to the previous data. The researchers are centered on providing solely statistical information, avoiding discussing the reasons for the potential decrease in imprisonment. The research utilizes various governmental and non-governmental data agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the National Prisoner Statistics, and others.

The researchers provide an extended analysis of the conditions and methods of data collection. Statistical research shows that imprisonment is at its lowest rate in thirty years (Carson, 2020). Gaining such results is possible through diversified data collection methods.

The different population peculiarities are national, cultural, and territorial. Such a varied scope of the research allows for a more diversified estimation supporting the central hypothesis with the relevant and actual data from the agencies. The allocation of different states’ federal and non-federal data sources provides the opportunity to estimate the imprisonment level changes more fairly.

Study Hypothesis

The study’s primary hypothesis is to prove the significant decline in the total prison population throughout the established period. The collected data and the analysis methods and tactics were centered on supporting the primary hypothesis related to the changes in imprisonment rates (Carson, 2020). Supporting the facts associated with imprisonment rates with factual data from governmental departments is vital in building an academically proven basis.

The Importance of Testing the Hypothesis

The US is the absolute world leader regarding the number of prisoners. It is also paradoxical that, according to researchers, such a massive number of prisoners remains against the fact that the actual number of crimes in the United States has been falling over the past decades (Carson, 2020). One of the reasons for the vast number of prisoners is the ongoing investigation of a relatively new and typically American approach to crime and punishment (Adams et al., 2020).

Americans are imprisoned for crimes like writing bad checks or using drugs. These crimes are rarely punished in other developed countries. The following reason has more of a cultural, ideological, and even historical basis (Adams et al., 2020). The peculiarity of the American judicial system is that a judge is an elected position, which makes him closer to a politician, not a civil servant (Maruschak & Minton, 2020). Therefore, judges must listen to public opinion, which is tuned to severe punishment for criminals.

As a result of the two reasons mentioned above, the imprisonment rates in the US are relatively high. Therefore, any declines are to be studied and investigated because this topic is acute for the US. Detailed analysis and data collection on the possible changes in the prisoner’s number are essential. It is especially vital to mark the observed progress and show positive changes in the problem, which bothers many politicians in the US. In other words, researching this hypothesis is essential due to the issue’s relevance for the country.

Statistical Procedures and Tests

A correlation is one of the significant statistical procedures used in the current research. Examples of correlation can be seen when comparing the data in a particular period. In other words, the researchers strived to identify progress regress through such a statistical method (Carson, 2020). This type of procedure is called linear regression and correlation (“List of statistical procedures,” n.d.).

Descriptive statistics is the second most widely used in the scope of the statistical research procedure. The authors use many summary tables and lists. The general curve fitting is the last statistical procedure not commonly used in the paper. This method is used at the beginning of the article to visually show the results of the correlations drawn in the state and federal imprisonment rates for a particular period (Carson, 2020). It helps to combine the collected data into one demonstrative figure.

Considering the tests used in the research, the regression and comparison tests can be mentioned. These two types are connected to the linear regression and correlation method. Data testing helps to identify more comprehensible numbers, for example, in percentages.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Use of Data

One significant strength of the study is that it addresses non-reporting state issues like those in Oregon. Such an approach allows for gaining more valid test results. Another strength of the research is that the estimations are also based on the prison population group divisions (Carson, 2020). Such data allows an understanding of which groups became less marginalized. The information presented in the tables and curves can also be considered a significant advantage of the study. Information becomes more visually comprehensive and easier to adapt for the audience.

Considering the work’s weaknesses, the data agencies’ informative descriptions can be mentioned. Moreover, noting the changes in the ratio adjustments employed by the different agencies from which the information was gained seems irrational (Carson, 2020). It would be more rational to provide more descriptions related to the present research methodology and precisely how the results were calculated.

Another weakness of the paper is the complicated narration structure, which makes it not obvious which hypothesis is analyzed. The typical paper structure is not preserved, making it difficult for the reader to combine the varied statistical data to draw conclusions. This problem can be solved by adding the results section to make the narration more intuitive and comprehensive.

Statistics in Criminal Justice

Statistics in criminological research cover a wide range of problems associated with negative phenomena in society. They offer essential indications for a comprehensive study of the present state of a given people and legislative reforms. The numbers explain the impact of punishments, how valuable their system is, to what extent criminal law and legal proceedings counteract crimes, and the significance of the legal consequences of punishments (Maddan & Walker, 2020). Hence, statistics are important for legislation and criminal policy.

Forensic psychologists and homicide detectives are specific examples of how statistical procedures can be used in the direction of criminal justice. For forensic psychologists, it is essential to understand the general mechanisms and tendencies according to which marginalization and deviation are formed. Statistical techniques can be used to analyze specific imprisonment cases or the general changes in criminal behavior. For example, forensic psychologists can use statistical results to understand which populations are more prone to marginalization and plan the communication strategy based on the data.

Statistics is one of the primary instruments for homicide detectives. The statistical data and techniques help predict criminals’ behavior and find the appropriate method of detention. Therefore, criminal statistics reflect the effectiveness of the provisions of forensic science applied in practice and the means and methods developed for the detection, investigation, and prevention of crimes.

References

Adams, M., Chhetri, N., & Klinsky. (2020). Barriers to sustainability in poor marginalized communities in the United States: The criminal justice, the prison-industrial complex and foster care systems. Sustainability, 12(1). Web.

Carson, A. (2020). Prisoners in 2019. U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Web.

List of statistical procedures. (n.d.). NCSS Statistic Software. Web.

Maddan, S., & Walker, J. (2020). Statistics in criminology and criminal justice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Maruschak, L., & Minton, T. (2020). Correctional populations in the United States, 2017-2018. U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Web.

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LawBirdie. (2025, July 3). U.S. Imprisonment Trends and Statistical Analysis in Carson’s 2019 Report. https://lawbirdie.com/u-s-imprisonment-trends-and-statistical-analysis-in-carsons-2019-report/

Work Cited

"U.S. Imprisonment Trends and Statistical Analysis in Carson’s 2019 Report." LawBirdie, 3 July 2025, lawbirdie.com/u-s-imprisonment-trends-and-statistical-analysis-in-carsons-2019-report/.

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LawBirdie. (2025) 'U.S. Imprisonment Trends and Statistical Analysis in Carson’s 2019 Report'. 3 July.

References

LawBirdie. 2025. "U.S. Imprisonment Trends and Statistical Analysis in Carson’s 2019 Report." July 3, 2025. https://lawbirdie.com/u-s-imprisonment-trends-and-statistical-analysis-in-carsons-2019-report/.

1. LawBirdie. "U.S. Imprisonment Trends and Statistical Analysis in Carson’s 2019 Report." July 3, 2025. https://lawbirdie.com/u-s-imprisonment-trends-and-statistical-analysis-in-carsons-2019-report/.


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LawBirdie. "U.S. Imprisonment Trends and Statistical Analysis in Carson’s 2019 Report." July 3, 2025. https://lawbirdie.com/u-s-imprisonment-trends-and-statistical-analysis-in-carsons-2019-report/.