The average ratio of prisoners to guards in US prisons is 3.09 prisoners for every 1 corrections officer, but can range much higher than that in certain states (as high as 5.87 prisoners for every 1 officer in Oklahoma) and certain prisons (over 15 prisoners for each officer in FCP Bryan)
https://www.onfocus.news/state-by-state-ranking-highest-and-lowest-prison-staff-levels-in-america/
https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/ji20st.pdf
https://www.bop.gov/about/statistics/docs/bop_hiring_and_staffing_report_fy_2021_q2.pdf
@codeWhisperer I think anyone claiming there's that many guards on duty per prisoner is likely lying through their teeth, or counting off-shifts and people in other jobs where they are not physically present.
I've corresponded with plenty of people in prison (smartphones are regularly smuggled in), and their descriptions are more like 1/20 or 1/30.
@AskTheDevil
While I do not have any direct experience, I agree that the numbers reported in these documents could be misconstrued. It looks to me like the number of correctional officers is the TOTAL of all officers. And we know of course that all of that number do not work around the clock. If we assume 8 hour shifts, than at any given time (averaged) the number of prisoners to officers would likely be approximately 3x higher (prisoner to officer).
@codeWhisperer That's about right, I think.
Don't get me started on median versus average income, home prices, etc.
What was that line about how there's three kinds of lies? Lies, damn lies, and statistics? ; )