Nearly half of all US adults have had an immediate family member incarcerated at some point in their lives, according to a new study.

Researchers also reported one in seven adults have seen immediate family incarcerated for over a year, with minorities most impacted.

The BBC reports the study by criminal justice non‑profit FWD.us and Cornell University surveyed over 4,000 American adults.

Over 2 million Americans are currently in prison in the US.

The report estimates 64% of US adults have had someone in their family spend at least one night in jail or prison.

The study's authors said it pointed to a nationwide "incarceration crisis".

One in five US adults has had a parent incarcerated, according to the study, resulting in serious financial and emotional consequences.

[Source:BBC News]