The year 1993 was selected for analysis, because it is the most recent year for which complete adult and juvenile correctional population data are available for all States. The data show that the amount of incarceration and punishment being administered by American society is far higher than previously reported. The overall incarceration rate is approximately 60 percent higher when the number of persons confined in jails and juvenile facilities is taken into account. For every 100 arrests, there are 12 people incarcerated and a total of 41 persons under the control of the criminal justice system. Based on the number of persons incarcerated per arrest made, Delaware, Vermont, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Florida are the most punitive States. The least punitive States are North Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Hawaii. States with the lowest crime and arrest rates tend to have the lowest incarceration rates. Conversely, States with the highest crime and arrest rates tend to have the highest incarceration rates. The authors conclude that simply increasing the incarceration rates will not have a major impact on crime. 8 tables