Cars & Other Vehicles How many prisoners does the US have 2020? How many prisoners does the US have 2020? 2.12 million people How many prisoners are in the US right now? There are 2 million people in the nation's prisons and jails—a 500% increase over the last 40 years. Changes in sentencing law and policy, not changes in crime rates, explain most of this increase. Related Posts:What happens if you go to jail in Mexico?What companies own private prisons?How many prisoners does the U.S. have 2020?Can you learn programming in prison?