What is the current prison population in the US today?

The prison population in the United States is approximately 2.3 million individuals, which reflects the significant issue of mass incarceration in the country. This figure encompasses not only those incarcerated in state and federal prisons but also individuals in local jails. The high rate of incarceration is a key theme in Bryan Stevenson’s "Just Mercy," where he explores the systemic flaws within the criminal justice system, including issues of racial bias, poverty, and the harsh penalties imposed for nonviolent offenses. Understanding the scale of the prison population is crucial for grasping the broader societal implications addressed in the book.