According to a new Bureau of Justice Statistics report, women are becoming a bigger part of the prison population. Paige Harrison, co-author of the report, more women are in prison because more women are taking part in violent crimes, drug activity and fraud schemes.

In 2004, the female population of the prison system increased by 4%, which was more than double the increase in men. Women had initially only made up 6.1% of all prison populations. According to the report, the rate of incarcerated drug offenders has also risen from 40,000 In 1989 to 450,000 currently. 55% of inmates are serving drug related charges, which the Sentencing Project says is due, in large part, to the increase in sentencing policies for drug offenders.

Harrison states that sentences are usually 7 months longer today than they were in 1995, citing that sentence requirements are harsher following the War on Drugs.