We have reached a new milestone in this country.

But it’s not one to be proud of.

According to a new study released Thursday by the Pew Center on the States, more than one out of every 100 Americans is in jail or prison.

One out of every 99.1 adults, to be precise.

The figures work out to 2,319,258—more or less—behind bars at the start of 2008. This cost the states more than $49 billion in 2007.

Twenty years ago prison costs were just $11 billion. According to the Pew Center, the rate on spending growth for prisons has been six times ...

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