Sunday, June 14, 2009

Women Underrepresented in Prison Populations


According to 2008 Department of Justice data, there were almost 13 times more men in U.S. prisons than women (see top chart above), and data from the Death Penalty Information Center show that there were about 65 men on death row for every woman in 2007 (see bottom chart above).

In other words, the data clearly show that men are way overrepresented (and women way underrepresented) in overall prison populations and among death row inmates. Isn't that what Larry Summers said that led to his resignation as president of Harvard University (see quote below)?

It does appear that on many, many different human attributes-height, weight, propensity for criminality, overall IQ, mathematical ability, scientific ability - there is relatively clear evidence that whatever the difference in means - which can be debated - there is a difference in the standard deviation, and variability of a male and a female population.

6 Comments:

At 6/15/2009 8:47 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This just proves women are smarter than men and either don't commit crimes or don't get caught.

 
At 6/15/2009 12:52 PM, Blogger Hot Sam said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 6/15/2009 3:12 PM, Blogger Benjamin Cole said...

I wouldn't being sent to women's prison.

 
At 6/15/2009 3:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The more interesting comparison is incarceration rates, not total numbers. Women are incarcerated for their crimes at a much lower rate than men are, assuming they're even charged with a crime (see statutory rape), and when they are incarcerated their sentences are much shorter. It's a lot easier for a woman to get paroled, too.

 
At 6/23/2009 8:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can you get your facts straight please. The system is harder on women than it is on men. There are many women doing time for crimes that their abusers committed.

 
At 6/23/2009 11:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The system is harder on women than it is on men. There are many women doing time for crimes that their abusers committed.

Then I'm sure you will be able to regale us with examples.

 

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