There are 325.7 million people living in the United States as of today. Besides from being a country with one of the largest populations, the U.S. also holds the record for the largest penal population in the world. With 2.2 million adults behind bars in 2014, the United States has almost one-quarter of the world’s prisoners held within their correctional facilities. Compared to other democracies and Western Europe countries the U.S. incarceration rates are 5 to 10 times higher and is drawn mainly from the most disadvantaged part of the population. With about 1 out of every 100-adult incarcerated, the majority of inmates have a shortfall of drug and alcohol addictions, lack of work experience as well as mental and physical illnesses. [8]

At this point, the growth of incarceration has reached a stage where the numbers of people behind bars cannot be justified by social benefits, but rather constitute a source of injustice and social harm. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, (2005), out of the 600,000 releases from prison made by the U.S. every year, the striking amount of three-quarters of ex-convict are reincarcerated within five years of their release. Upon their release many men and women face challenging environments having only the minimal preparation and poorly given assistance and resources to rely on. Challenges and environments that are frequently limiting them from becoming productive members of society. [8]

​