Median Prisoner: Nine Prior Arrests

State prison admissions data show the median inmate has nine prior arrests, and over three‑quarters have at least five. First‑time admissions are comparatively rare and generally reflect very serious offenses. — This challenges narratives centered on first‑time, low‑level offenders and refocuses reform on how to handle chronic repeat offending.

Sources

Lock Up Repeat Offenders

Jakob Dupuis 2025.10.02 70% relevant

The article’s case for repeat‑offender sentencing hinges on concentration of offending and heavy criminal histories, citing figures like 'nearly half of all prisoners have ten or more prior arrests,' which aligns with the broader evidence that most incarcerated have extensive priors.

The U.S. has a typical number of prisoners and an exceptionally low number of police

Isegoria 2025.09.20 85% relevant

The article cites that the median U.S. prisoner has nine prior arrests and that 75% have at least five—directly echoing the existing finding about extensive prior records among inmates.

Prisons aren't filled with harmless pot smokers

Inquisitive Bird 2025.09.19 100% relevant

Durose & Antenangeli (2023): distribution of prior arrests among state prison admissions, with a median of nine.