How many people are estimated to be on probation or parole?

The estimated number of people on probation or parole stands at approximately 6 million. This figure reflects the significant portion of the population engaged in community supervision rather than incarceration. This statistic is crucial as it underscores the larger conversation about the criminal justice system, including issues of mass incarceration and the challenges that individuals face after being released from prison or while serving sentences in the community. Understanding these numbers helps contextualize the systemic issues Stevenson addresses, including the disproportionate impact of the justice system on marginalized communities. The other options indicate higher or lower estimates, which do not align with the generally accepted statistics around probation and parole populations.