Under South Africa's white-minority apartheid regime, Mandela spent 27 years in prison, where he contracted tuberculosis, before being released in 1990.

NPR: South Africa: Mandela In Hospital For Tests

According to Pew, prisoners released in 2009 served an average of nine additional months in custody, or 36% longer, than offenders released in 1990.

CNN: When will the U.S. stop mass incarceration?

He spent 27 years behind bars and was released in 1990.

CNN: SHARE THIS