The chart illustrates the number of imprisonments in five countries from 1930 to 1980. Overall, the United States and Canada had the highest imprisonment figures throughout the period. The United States showed a relatively steady trend and ended at a clear peak in 1980. Canada, despite fluctuations, was the only country to overtake the US twice, in 1930 and 1950. New Zealand’s numbers initially declined but then recovered strongly, while Australia showed the most erratic pattern. Great Britain increased significantly over the period.
In 1930, the US imprisonment figure rose from 100,000 in 1930 to around 140,000 in 1940, before dropping to 110,000 in 1950. After a slight increase to 120,000 in 1960, it slipped to 90,000, then climbed dramatically to about 135,000 in 1980. Canada, the second-highest, decreased from 120,000 to 110,000 between 1930 and 1940, then rose slightly to about 117,000 in 1950. Subsequently, Canada fell sharply from 117,000 in 1950 to 85,000 in 1970, before recovering to around 90,000 in 1980.
Regarding other nations, Great Britain remained stable at 30,000 between 1930 and 1940, then increased significantly, reaching 85,000 in 1980. Australia dropped from 70,000 in 1930 to 50,000 in 1950, then rose to 70,000 in 1970, before falling to roughly 50,000 in 1980. New Zealand’s figures halved by 1950, reaching 50,000, but then rebounded sharply to end at 90,000 in 1980.