NCJ Number
147034
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1991) Pages: 6-12
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This survey provides data about the numbers and nationalities of foreign nationals incarcerated in United States and Canadian prisons.
Abstract
A survey of United States prisons in 1991 found that of the more than 738,000 prisoners, an estimated 42,800 are citizens of other countries. This information is based on data provided by 50 United States correctional systems. Hawaii and Oklahoma did not participate in the survey, and although Maryland, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee did respond, they could not provide information about the nationality of their prisoners. Mexicans account for the greatest number of foreign nationals in U.S. prisons. Other countries with significant representation in U.S. prisons are Cuba, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Germany, Canada, England, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The largest number of foreign nationals are incarcerated in the Federal prison system with California and New York having the second and third most. The survey also encompassed the Canadian correctional system. Ten of Canada's 13 systems responded to the survey with eight able to provide the requested data. The largest numbers of foreign nationals in Canadian prisons are from Jamaica and the U.S. The presence of foreign nationals sometimes causes language problems in most of the prisons. Information is also provided about release procedures. In 39 of the systems, the foreign nationals may be turned over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service upon release while other systems simply discharge them into the community.