I think the point is that the narrative that one choose to tell is based on which statistics one chooses to look at.

I think looking at each statistics has value when viewed together, and I would add a third one to the mix. Race is somewhat a predictor for being incarcerated. Gender slightly stronger. Wealth is slightly stronger than that with a 20x time higher rate for the bottom 10% compared to the top 10%.

For countries with high rate of refugees from specific regions on the planet, religion also becomes a predictor for incarceration.