The table illustrates the number of prisoners, measured in thousands, in five different countries between the years 1930 and 1980.
Overall, in all countries, the figures for imprisonment fluctuated throughout the period, except Great Britain. While the United States ranked as the highest country in number of prisoners in 1980, Canada was the highest-ranking country in 1930.
To begin with, the number of prisoners in Canada was the highest among the other countries at the beginning of the period, which was 120,000. This figure showed a fluctuating pattern, but at the end of the period, it reached 90,000. Both the United States and New Zealand had the same number of prisoners in 1930, at around 100,000. Then the number of prisoners in the U.S. increased significantly, reaching approximately 125,000 in 1940, whereas New Zealand’s prisoners dropped to half amount, which was 50,000. After that, in 1980, the United States had the highest amount of prisoners, representing 130,000, and New Zealand exhibited an increase, reaching 85,000.
Meanwhile, Great Britain had the lowest amount for imprisonment at the beginning of the period, representing 25,000. This pattern demonstrated a gradual rise, meeting with New Zealand at the same amount, which was 85,000. Australia had only 65,000 prisoners in 1930, then this number declined to 45,000 in 1950, before recovering and increasing to 65,000 in 1970. Finally, Australia had the lowest number of prisoners among the other countries in 1980, which was 50,000.