Missouri Criminal Justice & Crime Rates 2026
Incarceration rates, crime statistics, criminal justice reform, and political context in Missouri for 2026.
506
Incarceration Rate (per 100k)
Yes
Death Penalty
Legal
Marijuana Legalization
#4
Violent Crime Rate Rank
Criminal Justice Overview
Missouri has high crime rates, with St. Louis regularly among the most dangerous cities in the nation. The state legalized marijuana in 2022. Kansas City faces severe gun violence. Missouri maintains the death penalty and has resisted broad criminal justice reform.
Key Criminal Justice Data
| Indicator | Status |
|---|---|
| Incarceration Rate (per 100k) | 506 |
| Total Prison Population | 30,000 |
| Violent Crime Rate Rank | #4 nationally |
| Death Penalty | Yes |
| Recreational Marijuana | Legal |
| Bail Reform | Traditional |
| Police Reform Legislation | No |
Political Context
Missouri Republicans control the legislature and have maintained tough-on-crime positions. St. Louis and Kansas City crime are major political issues used by Republicans to attack Democratic governance of those cities. There is a city-state political conflict over local police oversight.