by the number at
risk to first incarceration, times 100,000.

Note: 3-year averages were used to smooth age-specific rates.

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Between 1974 and 2001 the rate of first incarceration rose in nearly
every age-specific category. The largest increases occurred among
younger age cohorts -- those that already had high first incarceration
rates. The peak incarceration rate increased by over 200 persons per
100,000 (from 143 at age 21 in 1974, to 350 at age 20 in 2001). Rates
increased even among persons age 45 or older.

+In 2001, 3 out of 10 adults ever incarcerated were age 35 to 44+

Persons between ages 35 and 44 accounted for the largest number of
current and former prisoners at yearend 2001 (table 2). Born between
1957 and 1966, these persons turned 18 in the late 1970s and early
1980s when first incarceration rates began to climb. Between 1974 and
2001, the number ever incarcerated in this age group rose from 324,000
to 1.67 million.

Among persons between ages 25 and 34, the number ever incarcerated
nearly quadrupled (from 343,000 in 1974 to 1.29 million in 2001). While
persons in this age group also experienced rising first incarceration
rates, they were subject to these rates for a smaller portion of their
lifespan than those ages 35 to 44.

As a percent of those ever incarcerated, persons ages 35 to 44
increased from 18% in 1974 to 30% by 2001; persons age 25 to 34
increased from 19% in 1974 to 23% in 2001.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

+Table 1. Prevalence of incarceration in a State or Federal prison, by
current and former prisoners, 1974-2001+

Current and former prisoners ever incarcerated in a State
or Federal prison--

1974 1979 1986 1991 1997 2001

Number incarcerated

Total 1,819,000 2,100,000 2,667,000 3,437,000 4,652,000 5,618,000
Current 216,000 302,000 524,000 788,000 1,171,000 1,319,000
Former 1,603,000 1,798,000 2,143,000 2,649,000 3,481,000 4,299,000

Ever incarcerated rate*

Total 1,251 1,308 1,516 1,828 2,336 2,673
Current 149 188 298 419 588 628
Former 1,102 1,120 1,218 1,409 1,748 2,045