NEW : Director : Weak community corrections programs force judges to choose jail . Record 7.3 million people were in jail , prison or on probation or parole in 2007 . The U.S. correctional population -- those in jail , prison , on probation or on parole -- totaled 7.3 million , or 1 in every 31 adults . That 's one in every 31 people in the U.S. , Pew Center on States found . Comment:
NEW : Director : Weak community corrections programs force judges to choose jail . Record 7.3 million people were in jail , prison or on probation or parole in 2007 . That 's one in every 31 people in the U.S. , Pew Center on States found . Comment: