Years of Life Lost to Prison: Racial and Gender Gradients in the USA
Author Information
Author(s): Robert S. Hogg, Eric F. Druyts, Scott Burris, Ernest Drucker, Steffanie A. Strathdee
Primary Institution: Simon Fraser University
Hypothesis
How does imprisonment affect life expectancy across different genders and races in the United States?
Conclusion
There are clear gender and racial gradients in life expectancy spent in prison in the United States.
Supporting Evidence
- African American males can expect to spend on average 3.09 years in prison over their lifetime.
- Hispanic and Caucasian males can expect to spend on average 1.06 and 0.50 years in prison, respectively.
- African American females can expect to spend on average 0.23 years in prison.
- The study found that African American males spend 61.80 times longer in prison compared to Caucasian females.
Takeaway
This study shows that some groups, especially African American males, spend a lot more time in prison than others, which affects their life expectancy.
Methodology
The study used the Sullivan method to estimate life expectancy and analyzed data from the US Census Bureau and the Department of Justice from 2000 to 2004.
Potential Biases
The reliance on mid-year sample data may not accurately reflect the total prison population.
Limitations
The data are based on sample estimates and do not include those confined in local facilities or on parole/probation.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on individuals aged 18 to 44, with a significant representation of African American and Hispanic populations.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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