Prison and Jail Inmates, 1995
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Bulletin

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs

August 1996 NCJ-161132

The full text of this report is available through--
* the BJS Clearinghouse, 1-800-732-3277
* on the Internet at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
* on the BJS gopher at gopher://www.ojp.usdoj.gov:70/11/bjs/

By Darrell K. Gilliard and Allen J. Beck, Ph.D. BJS Statisticians

An estimated 1,585,400 persons were incarcerated in the United
States in 1995. Correctional authorities held in the Nation's
prisons and jails 600 persons per 100,000 U.S. residents.
Prisoners in the custody of the 50 States, the District of
Columbia, and the Federal Government accounted for two-thirds of
the incarcerated population (1,078,357 inmates). The other
third was held in local jails (507,044 inmates).

On December 31, 1995, 1,127,132 prisoners were under Federal or
State jurisdiction, a measure that, unlike custody, includes
persons under the legal authority of a prison system held
elsewhere or outside its facilities. The total increased 6.8%
from yearend 1994. The States and the District of Columbia
added 66,843 prisoners; the Federal system, 5,216.

On June 30, 1995, local jail authorities held or supervised an
estimated 541,913 offenders. Six percent of these offenders
(34,869) were supervised outside of a jail facility in an
alternative program such as electronic monitoring, house
detention (without electronic monitoring), or day reporting. In
1995 local jail authorities held an estimated 507,044 offenders
in their facilities, an increase of 4.2% during the 12 previous
months.

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On December 31, 1995 --
* 1,127,132 prisoners were under the jurisdiction of correctional
authorities of the 50 States and the District of Columbia (together
holding 1,026,882) and of the Federal Government (100,250).

* Over the 12 preceding months, the Nation's prison population
grew 72,059 prisoners -- an increase of 6.8% since yearend 1994.

* State prison systems were operating between 14% and 25% over
their reported capacity; the Federal system, 26% over the reported
capacity.

* Nearly 30% of all prisoners in the U.S. were incarcerated
in California (135,646), Texas (127,766), and New York (68,484).

On June 30, 1995 --
* The Nation's local jails held or supervised an estimated 541,913
persons. Of that total, 34,869 were in community supervision
programs such as electronic monitoring, house detention, and day
reporting.

* From midyear 1994, the number of persons held in local jails
grew 4.2% -- from 486,474 to 507,044.

* An estimated 7,888 juveniles (under age 18) were held in local
jails; an increase of 17% from 12 months before. Over three-quarters
were tried or awaiting trial as adults.

* Over the 12 preceding months, local jails added space for 41,439
inmates, an annual increase of 8%. This added space allowed local
jails to operate at 7% below their rated capacity.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Since 1985 the total number of inmates in the custody of State
and Federal prisons and local jails has more than doubled to
nearly 1.6 million -- an increase of 113%.

* On average, the incarcerated population has grown 7.9% annually
since 1985. The State and Federal prison population has grown
8.3% annually, while the local jail population has grown 7.0%.

* Over the 10-year period correctional authorities have found
beds for nearly 841,200 additional inmates or the equivalent of
almost 1,618 inmates per week.

* At yearend 1985, 1 in every 320 United States residents were
incarcerated. By yearend 1995 that ratio had increased to 1 in
every 167.

* Since 1985 the Nation's prison and jail population has nearly
doubled on a per capita basis. In 1995 the number of inmates
per 100,000 U.S. residents was 600 -- up from 313 in 1985.

****************************************************
Nearly 1.6 million inmates were held in the Nation's prisons and
local jails
****************************************************

On December 31, 1995, an estimated 1,078,357 inmates were in the
custody of State and Federal prison authorities (table 1).

Table 1. Number of inmates held in State or Federal prisons
or in local jails, 1985, 1990-95
Number of State and Federal prisoners on December 31
Year Total inmates in Jurisdictiona Custody Number ofIncarcera

1985 744208 502507 487593 256615 313

1990 1148702 773919 743382 405320 461
1991 1219014 825559 792535 426479 483
1992 1295150 882500 850566 444584 508
1993 1369185 969301 909381 459804 528
1994 1478086 1055073 991612 486474 562
1995 1585401 1127132 1078357 507044 600

Percent change, 1994-95
0.073 0.068 0.087 0.042

Percent change, 1985-95
1.13 1.243 1.212 0.976

Annual average increase, 1985-95
0.079 0.084 0.083 0.07

aIncludes prisoners in custody, prisoners in local jails because of prison crowdi
and prisoners supervised elsewhere, such as in treatment centers.
bCounts for 1994 and 1995 exclude persons who were supervised outside of a jail.
cTotal of persons in custody of State, Federal, or local jurisdictions per 100,00

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On June 30,1995, an estimated 507,044 inmates were in the custody
of local jail authorities. These data were collected in the 1995
National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) program and the 1995 Annual
Survey of Jails.

The total incarcerated population increased 7.3% from 12 months
prior. During 1995 the number of inmates in State and Federal
prisons increased 8.7%, and the number held in local jails
increased 4.2%. In the last 5 years, the incarcerated
population has grown on average 6.7% annually. The State and
Federal prison population has grown 7.7% annually while the
local jail population has grown 4.6%.

During 1995 the number of inmates in the Nation's prisons and
jails rose an estimated 107,300 inmates or 2,064 inmates per
week. In the last 5 years, the total custody population has
risen more than 436,700 inmates, the equivalent of 1,680 inmates
per week.

Relative to the number of U.S. residents, the rate of
incarceration in 1995 was 600 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents
-- up from 461 per 100,000 in 1990. On December 31, 1995, 1 in
every 167 U.S. residents were incarcerated.

******************************************************
The population of State and Federal prisons rose 6.8% during 1995
******************************************************

The 1995 growth rate of 6.8% was smaller than the percentage
increase recorded during 1994 (8.8%) and below the average
annual growth rate for the past 10 years (8.4%). In absolute
numbers, the total increase of 72,059 prison inmates during 1995
was the third largest yearly increase on record. The increase
in 1995 was surpassed only in 1989 (an increase of 84,764
prisoners) and 1994 (an increase of 84,629).Prisoners with a
sentence of more than 1 year (referred to as "sentenced
prisoners") accounted for 96% of the total prison population at
the end of 1995, growing 6.3% during the year (table 2).

Table 2. Prisoners under the jurisdiction of State or Federal correctional
authorities, by region and jurisdiction, yearend 1994 and 1995

Total Sentenced to more than 1 year
Percent Percent Incar-
Region and Advance Final change, Advance Final change, ceration
jurisdiction 1995 1994 1994-95 1995 1994 1994-95 rate, 1995/a

U.S. total 1127132 1055073 6.8 1080728 1017059 6.3 409

Federal 100250 95034 5.5 83663 79795 4.8 32
State 1026882 960039 7 997065 937264 6.4 378

Northeast 161815 153072 5.7 155071 146834 5.6 301
Connecticut/b 14801 14380 2.9 10418 10500 -0.8 318
Maine 1447 1474 -1.8 1377 1401 -1.7 111
Massachusetts/c 11619 11293 2.9 10633 10401 2.2 175
New Hampshire 2014 2021 -0.3 2014 2021 -0.3 174
New Jersey 27066 24632 9.9 27066 24632 9.9 340
New York 68484 66750 2.6 68484 66750 2.6 378
Pennsylvania 32410 28302 14.5 32404 28294 14.5 268
Rhode Island/b 2902 2919 -0.6 1833 1854 -1.1 186
Vermont/b,d 1072 1301 -- 842 981 -- 143

Midwest 193325 184508 4.8 192252 183830 4.6 310
Illinois/e 37658 36531 3.1 37658 36531 3.1 317
Indiana 16125 15014 7.4 16046 14916 7.6 275
Iowae 5906 5437 8.6 5906 5437 8.6 207
Kansas 7054 6371 10.7 7054 6371 10.7 274
Michigane 41112 40631 1.2 41112 40631 1.2 429
Minnesota 4863 4575 6.3 4863 4575 6.3 105
Missouri 19139 17898 6.9 19139 17898 6.9 358
Nebraska 3113 2711 14.8 3045 2667 14.2 185
North Dakota 608 536 13.4 544 501 8.6 85
Ohio 44677 43074 3.7 44677 43074 3.7 400
South Dakota 1871 1708 9.5 1871 1708 9.5 256
Wisconsin 11199 10022 11.7 10337 9521 8.6 201

South 455143 422455 7.7 442471 415354 6.5 478
Alabama 20718 19573 5.8 20130 19074 5.5 471
Arkansas 9401 8643 8.8 9011 8517 5.8 360
Delaware/b 4802 4466 7.5 2980 2844 4.8 413
Dist. of Col./b 9800 10949 -10.5 9042 10085 -10.3 1650
Floridae 63879 57168 11.7 63866 57157 11.7 447
Georgiae 34266 33425 2.5 34160 32523 5 470
Kentucky 12060 11066 9 12060 11066 9 311
Louisiana 25427 24063 5.7 24755 24063 2.9 568
Maryland 21453 20998 2.2 20450 19854 3 404
Mississippi/c 13008 10930 19 12575 10606 18.6 464
North Carolina 29374 23648 24.2 27716 23046 20.3 382
Oklahoma 18151 16631 9.1 18151 16631 9.1 552
South Carolina 19611 18999 3.2 19015 18168 4.7 515
Tennessee/c 15206 14401 5.6 15206 14401 5.6 287
Texas 127766 118195 8.1 123349 118195 4.4 653
Virginia 27710 26968 2.8 27523 26792 2.7 414
West Virginia 2511 2332 7.7 2482 2332 6.4 136

West 216599 200004 8.3 207271 191246 8.4 357
Alaskab 3505 3292 6.5 2045 1934 5.7 339
Arizonae 21341 19746 8.1 20291 19005 6.8 473
California 135646 125605 -- 131745 121084 -- 416
Colorado 11063 10717 3.2 11063 10717 3.2 292
Hawaii/b 3560 3333 6.8 2590 2392 8.3 217
Idaho 3328 2811 18.4 3328 2811 18.4 283
Montana 1788 1764 1.4 1788 1764 1.4 204
Nevada 7826 6993 11.9 7545 6993 7.9 482
New Mexico 4195 3712 13 3925 3533 11.1 231
Oregon 7886 6936 13.7 6515 5935 9.8 206
Utah 3448 3045 13.2 3423 3028 13 173
Washington 11608 10833 7.2 11608 10833 7.2 212
Wyoming 1405 1217 15.4 1405 1217 15.4 291

Note: The advance count of prisoners is conducted in January
and may be revised. Prisoner counts for 1994 may differ
from those reported in previous publications.
--Not calculated because of a change in reporting
methods. See NPS jurisdiction notes on page 15.
/aThe number of prisoners with a sentence of more
than 1 year per 100,000 in the resident population.
/bPrison and jails form one integrated system.
All NPS data include jail and prison populations.
/cReference date is not December 31.
See NPS jurisdiction notes.
/dSince December 31, 1995, only custody counts were reported.
/ePopulation figures are based on custody counts.

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The remaining prisoners had sentences of a year or less or were
unsentenced (for example, those awaiting trial in States with
combined prison-jail systems).

The sentenced Federal prison population experienced slower
growth than the State prison population during 1995 (4.8% versus
6.4%). Compared to previous years, the rate of growth
of sentenced Federal prisoners declined during 1995, down from
7.3% in 1994 and below the 10.7% annual average growth rate
between 1990 and 1995. In absolute numbers, sentenced Federal
prisoners increased by 3,868 during 1995, compared to
an increase of 5,394 during 1994.

During 1995 the total prison population increased at least 10%
in 14 States. North Carolina reported the largest increase
(24.2%), followed by Mississippi (19.0%), Idaho (18.4%), Wyoming
(15.4%), and Nebraska (14.8%). Three States and the District of
Columbia experienced a decline in their prison population. The
District of Columbia had the largest decline, -10.5%; followed
by Maine, -1.8%; Rhode Island, -0.6%; and New Hampshire, -0.3%.

Forty-three percent of the increase during 1995 was accounted
for by Texas (9,571), Florida (6,711), North Carolina (5,726),
the Federal system (5,216), and Pennsylvania (4,108). These
jurisdictions incarcerated nearly a third of the Nation's prison
population.

**************************
Rates of prison incarceration rise
**************************

On December 31, 1995, the number of sentenced prisoners per 100,000
U.S. residents was 409. Of the 14 States with rates greater
than the rate for the Nation,10 were in the South, 3 were in
the West, and 1 was in the Midwest. Four States -- North Dakota
(85), Minnesota (105),Maine (111), and West Virginia (136) --
had rates that were less than a third of the national rate.
The District of Columbia, a wholly urban jurisdiction, held
1,650 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 residents at yearend 1995.

Since 1985 the number of sentenced inmates per 100,000 residents
has risen from 200 to 409. During this 10- year period prison
incarceration rates rose the most in the South (from 236 to 478)
and West (from 176 to 357). The rate in the Northeast rose from
145 to 301, and the rate in the Midwest from 161 to 310. The
number of sentenced Federal prisoners per 100,000 U.S. residents
increased from 14 to 32 over the same period.

********************************************
Prison populations in Western States grew the fastest
*******************************************

During 1995 the average growth in the number of sentenced State
and Federal prisoners was equal to a demand for 1,224 additional
beds per week, about 410 fewer than the average weekly growth in
1994.

In 1995 the percentage increase in the number of sentenced
prisoners was highest in the Western States, a gain of 8.4%.
The number of sentenced prisoners grew by 6.5% in the South,
5.6% in the Northeast, and 4.6% in the Midwest.

Eighteen States recorded higher growth rates in 1995 than in
1994. Among these jurisdictions, 9 had increases of at least
10%; they were led by North Carolina (20.3%), Mississippi
(18.6%), and Idaho (18.4%).

During 1995 Michigan and Montana reported an increase of less
than 2% in the number of sentenced prisoners. Connecticut,
Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island reported slight declines.

The District of Columbia reported a decrease of more than 1,000
sentenced inmates (down 10.3%).

Since 1990 the average net gain in the number of sentenced
prisoners has been about 1,287 prisoners per week -- a gain of
about 1,160 State prisoners and 128 Federal prisoners per week
over the period (table 3).

Table 3. Changes in the number of sentenced prisoners under the jurisdiction of
authorities, 5-year and 10-year population differences

Prisoners with a sentence of more than 1 year
1990-95 1985-95
Region and Population Percent Population Percent
jurisdiction differences change differences change

U.S. total 334732 44.9 600160 124.9

Federal 33260 66.0 50968 155.9
State 301472 43.3 549192 122.6

Northeast
Connecticut 2647 34.1 6375 157.7
Maine -103 -7.0 150 12.2
Massachusetts -- -- -- --
New Hampshire 672 50.1 1331 194.9
New Jersey 5938 28.1 -- --
New York 13589 24.8 33977 98.5
Pennsylvania 10123 45.4 18285 129.5
Rhode Island 247 15.6 870 90.3
Vermont -- -- -- --

Midwest
Illinois 10142 36.9 19024 102.1
Indiana 3431 27.2 6279 64.3
Iowa 1939 48.9 3219 119.8
Kansas 1279 22.1 2322 49.1
Michigan 6845 20 23357 131.6
Minnesota 1687 53.1 2520 107.6
Missouri 4196 28.1 9343 95.4
Nebraska 759 33.2 1312 75.7
North Dakota 109 25.1 169 45.1
Ohio 12855 40.4 23813 114.1
South Dakota 530 39.5 834 80.4
Wisconsin 2899 39 4942 91.6

South
Alabama 4765 31.0 9381 87.3
Arkansas 1737 23.9 4400 95.4
Delaware 739 33 1221 69.4
District of Colum 2244 33 4438 96.4
Florida 19486 43.9 35384 124.2
Georgia 12489 57.6 18797 122.4
Kentucky 3037 33.7 7079 142.1
Louisiana 6156 33.1 10865 78.2
Maryland 3716 22.2 8147 66.2
Mississippi 4491 55.6 6367 102.6
North Carolina 9952 56 11709 73.1
Oklahoma 5866 47.7 9821 117.9
South Carolina 2807 17.3 9107 91.9
Tennessee 4818 46.4 8079 113.4
Texas 67291 120 85817 228.7
Virginia 10105 58 15806 134.9
West Virginia -- -- -- --

West
Alaska -- -- -- --
Arizona 6510 47.2 12018 145.3
California -- -- -- --
Colorado 3392 44.2 7677 226.7
Hawaii 882 51.6 1162 81.4
Idaho -- -- -- --
Montana 363 25.5 659 58.4
Nevada 2223 41.8 3774 100.1
New Mexico 858 28 1813 85.8
Oregon -- -- -- --
Utah 949 38.4 1800 110.9
Washington 3613 45.2 4689 67.8
Wyoming 295 26.6 643 84.4

Note: Totals include data for States otherwise excluded
because of reporting changes.
( )Indicates a decline in the number of sentenced prisoners.
--Not available because of reporting changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Texas (up 120%) and the Federal system (up 66%) have the
largest percentage increases in sentenced prisoners since 1990.

In 1995 the 10 States with the largest prison populations held
61% of the total prison population nationwide, with California,
Texas, and the Federal system accounting for nearly 32% (table
4).

Table 4. The prison situation on December 31, 1995

10 highest 10 largest and smallest percentage changes
10 largest and Number of and lowest Prisoners Percent Percent
smallest prison prison rates per 100,000 change change
populations inmates incarceration residents* 1-year growth 1994-95 5-year growth
1990-95
10 highest
California 135646 Texas 653 North Carolina 24.2 Texas 127.9
Texas 127766 Louisiana 568 Mississippi 19 North Carolina 59.5
Federal system 100250 Oklahoma 552 Idaho 18.4 Virginia 57.5
New York 68484 South Carolina 515 Wyoming 15.4 Mississippi 55.3
Florida 63879 Nevada 482 Nebraska 14.8 Minnesota 53.1
Ohio 44677 Arizona 473 Pennsylvania 14.5 Federal system 53
Michigan 41112 Alabama 471 Oregon 13.7 Georgia 52.9
Illinois 37658 Georgia 470 North Dakota 13.4 New Hampsh 50.1
Georgia 34266 Mississippi 464 Utah 13.2 Wisconsin 50
Pennsylvania 32410 Florida 447 New Mexico 13 Arizona 49.6

10 Lowest:
North Dakota 608 North Dakota 85 Dist. of Col. -10.5 Maine -5
Vermont 1072 Minnesota 105 Maine -1.8 Dist. of Col. -1.5
Wyoming 1405 Maine 111 Rhode Isla -0.6 South Carolina 13.2
Maine 1447 West Virginia 136 New Hampsh -0.3 Michigan 20
Montana 1788 Vermont 143 Michigan 1.2 Maryland 20.2
South Dakota 1871 Utah 173 Montana 1.4 Rhode Island 21.3
New Hampshire 2014 New Hampshire 174 Maryland 2.2 Kansas 22.1
West Virginia 2511 Massachuse 175 Georgia 2.5 New York 24.8
Rhode Island 2902 Nebraska 185 New York 2.6 Montana 25.5
Nebraska 3113 Rhode Island 186 Virginia 2.8 North Dakota 25.9

*Prisoners with a sentence of more than 1 year. The Federal Bureau of Prisons
and the District of Columbia are excluded.

Texas had the highest prison incarceration rate -- 653
sentenced inmates per 100,000 residents, followed by Louisiana
(568) and Oklahoma (552). At yearend 1995 North Dakota had
the lowest rate of incarceration (85 sentenced prisoners per
100,000 residents), followed by Minnesota (105), Maine (111)
and West Virginia (136).

Seventeen States, each reporting fewer than 5,000 inmates,
together held 4% of all prisoners in 1995.

Maine and the District of Columbia were the only jurisdictions
that had decline in the number of inmates from 1990 to 1995
(-5.0% and -1.5%, respectively). Among States with increasing
prison populations, South Carolina was the only State
with a 5-year increase of less than 20%.

The largest 5-year increases occurred in Texas (127.9%), North
Carolina (59.5%), Virginia (57.5%), Mississippi (55.3%), and
Minnesota (53.1%).

*****************************************************
Growth rates nearly equal for male and female prison populations
*****************************************************

During 1995 the number of women under the jurisdiction of State
or Federal prison authorities increased from 64,340 to 68,544,
an increase of 6.5% (table 5).

Table 5. Prisoners under the jurisdiction of
by sex of inmate, yearend 1994 and 1995
Men Women
Total
Advance 1995 1058588 68544
Final 1994 990733 64340
Percent change, 1994-95 0.068 0.065

Sentenced to more than 1 year
Advance 1995 1017466 63262
Final 1994 956990 60069
Percent change, 1994-95 0.063 0.053

Incarceration rate, 199 789 47

Note: In 1995, 1,014,359 men and 63,998 women
in 1994, 934,718 men and 56,895 women. The nu
prisoners in custody, prisoners in local jails
prisoners supervised elsewhere, as in a treatm
*The number of prisoners with a sentence of more
than 1 year per 100,000 residents on December 31, 1995.
---------------------------------------------------

The number of women held in the custody of State or Federal prisons
in 1995 was 63,998, up from 56,895 in 1994. The number of men
under the jurisdiction of State or Federal prison authorities
rose 6.8%, from 990,733 to 1,058,588. The number of men held
in custody increased from 934,718 to 1,014,359.

At the end of 1995, women accounted for 6.1% of all prisoners
nationwide (table 6).

Table 6. Women under the jurisdiction of State
or Federal correctional authorities, yearend 1995

Number Percent Percent change Prison
Region and of female of all in female inmate incarceration
jurisdiction inmates inmates population 1994-95 rate, 1995

U.S. total 68544 6.1 6.5 47

Federal 7398 7.4 3.6 4
State 61146 6 6.9 43

Northeast 8397 5.2 3.3 29
Connecticut 975 6.6 -2.4 34
Maine 46 3.2 -4.2 6
Massachusetts 657 5.7 -6.9 13
New Hampshire 107 5.3 -2.7 18
New Jersey 1307 4.8 11.9 32
New York 3615 5.3 1.1 39
Pennsylvania 1501 4.6 13.5 24
Rhode Island 157 5.4 4.7 10
Vermontb 32 -- -- 6

Midwest 10852 5.6 9.7 34
Illinois 2196 5.8 21.1 36
Indiana 892 5.5 8 30
Iowa 425 7.2 21.1 29
Kansas 449 6.4 30.5 34
Michigan 1842 4.5 -8.9 37
Minnesota 223 4.6 -5.9 9
Missouri 1174 6.1 12.7 43
Nebraska 194 6.2 10.2 21
North Dakota 29 4.8 81.3 8
Ohio 2793 6.3 9.3 49
South Dakota 133 7.1 29.1 35
Wisconsin 502 4.5 21.8 18

South 27471 6 4.2 55
Alabama 1295 6.3 6.7 56
Arkansas 544 5.8 -6.2 42
Delaware 357 7.4 26.6 44
Dist. of Col. 487 5 -29.1 133
Florida 3660 5.7 19.3 49
Georgia 2036 5.9 1.2 54
Kentucky 734 6.1 15.2 37
Louisiana 1464 5.8 13.1 62
Maryland 1079 5 3.9 38
Mississippi 827 6.4 27.6 55
North Carolina 1709 5.8 44.5 41
Oklahoma 1815 10 12.9 108
South Carolina 1045 5.3 2.3 51
Tennessee 637 4.2 8.5 23
Texas 7935 6.2 -10.2 77
Virginia 1718 6.2 9.8 50
West Virginia 129 5.1 41.8 13

West 14426 6.7 12.5 45
Alaska 232 6.6 6.4 40
Arizona 1432 6.7 12.5 60
Californiac 9082 6.7 -- 52
Colorado 713 6.4 6.4 37
Hawaii 312 8.8 21.4 39
Idaho 212 6.4 23.3 35
Montana 65 3.6 -30.1 15
Nevada 565 7.2 28.1 70
New Mexico 297 7.1 55.5 27
Oregon 465 5.9 22.7 18
Utah 161 4.7 22.9 16
Washington 793 6.8 13.6 29
Wyoming 97 6.9 18.3 40

--Not calculated
aThe number of female prisoners with a sentence of more than 1 year
per 100,000 female residents on December 31, 1995.
bCustody only counts were reported for the first time in 1995.
cJurisdiction counts were reported for the first time in 1995.
_________________________________________________________________________

Relative to the number of women in the resident population
in the United States in 1995, Oklahoma (with 108 female prisoners
per 100,000 female residents) led the Nation, followed by Texas
(with 77) and Nevada (with 70). Vermont and Maine (with 6 female
inmates per 100,000 female residents each) and North Dakota
(with 8) had the lowest female incarceration rates in prison.

In 1995, 19 States and the Federal system had more than 1,000
female inmates. Among these jurisdictions 9 had increases of at
least 10%, led by North Carolina with an increase of 44.5% (from
1,183 female inmates in 1994 to 1,709 in 1995).

Five States held fewer than 100 female inmates at yearend 1995.
Women represented fewer than 4% of all prisoners in Maine and
Montana. In 1995, 7.4% of inmates in the Federal system were
female -- higher than all State systems except for Oklahoma
(10.0%), Hawaii (8.8%), and Delaware (7.4%).

********************************************
Local jails held over 32,000 prisoners because of State
prison crowding
********************************************
At the end of 1995, 26 jurisdictions reported a total of 32,346
State prisoners held in local jails or other facilities because
of crowding in State facilities (table 7).

Table 7. State prisoners held in local jails
because of prison crowding, by State,
yearend 1994 and 1995

States housing
prisoners in
local jails State prisoners held in local jails
As a percent
Number of all State inmates
1995 1994 1995 1994
U.S. total 32739 45618 2.9 4.3

Louisiana 8671 8081 34.1 33.6
New Jersey 4258 3413 15.7 13.9
Virginia 3588 2063 12.9 7.6
Mississippi 2357 1569 18.1 14.4
Tennesseea 2057 1829 13.5 12.7
North Carolina 1949 248 6.6 1
Colorado 1563 1135 14.1 10.6
Massachusettsa 1189 966 10.2 8.6
Indiana 1139 903 7.1 6

Arkansas 971 301 10.3 3.5
Alabama 800 1547 3.9 7.9
Kentucky 559 632 4.6 5.7
New Mexico 416 0 9.9 --
South Carolina 399 359 2 1.9
Michiganb 393 -- 1 --
Wisconsin 354 377 3.2 3.8
Arizonab 322 118 1.5 0.6
Hawaii 300 0 8.4 --

Idaho 297 330 8.9 11.7
Oklahomab 291 375 1.6 2.2
Utah 270 169 7.8 5.6
Oregon 249 0 3.2 --
Montanab 135 0 7 --
West Virginia 134 398 5.3 17.1
Minnesota 63 85 1.3 1.9
Nevada 15 0 0.2 --
Texas 0 20720 -- 17.5
--Not calculable.
aReference date is not December 31. See NPS jurisdiction notes.
bFor States not including jail backups in their jurisdiction counts,
the percent of jurisdiction population was calculated using the total
number of State inmates in jail or prison.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Louisiana accounted for 27% of the prisoners sentenced to
prison but incarcerated locally. Eight States -- Louisiana, New Jersey,
Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Colorado, Massachusetts,
and Arkansas -- held more than 10% of their prison population
in local jails. Overall, because of prison crowding, 2.9% of the
State prisoners were confined in local jails, down from 4.3%
in 1994.

***************************************
Prison capacity estimates are difficult to compare
***************************************

The extent of crowding in the Nation's prisons is difficult to
determine because of the absence of uniform measures for
defining capacity. The 52 reporting jurisdictions apply a wide

variety of capacity measures to reflect both the available space
to house inmates and the ability to staff and operate an
institution. To estimate the capacity of the Nation's prisons,
jurisdictions were asked to supply three measures for yearend
1995: rated, operational, and design capacities. These
measures were defined as follows:

Rated capacity is the number of beds or inmates assigned by a
rating official to institutions within the jurisdiction.

Operational capacity is the number of inmates that can be
accommodated based on a facility's staff, existing programs,
and services.

Design capacity is the number of inmates that planners or
architects intended for the facility.

Of the 52 reporting jurisdictions, 34 supplied a rated capacity,
43 provided an operational capacity, and 37 submitted a design
capacity (table 8).

Table 8. Reported Federal and State prison capacities, yearend 1995
Population housed
as a percent of capacity

Region and Rated Operational Design Highest Lowest
jurisdiction capacity capacity capacity capacity capacity

Federal 72145 . . . . . . 126 126

Northeast
Connecticut . . . . . . . . . -- --
Maine 1353 1353 1353 107 107
Massachusettsb . . . . . . 7603 137 137
New Hampshire 1358 1913 1716 105 148
New Jerseyb . . . . . . 13869 164 164
New York 67712 64585 52475 101 131
Pennsylvaniac . . . 20970 . . . 154 154
Rhode Island 3349 3349 3349 87 87
Vermont 1052 1052 991 102 108

Midwest
Illinois 27376 27376 23714 138 159
Indianab 12539 15490 . . . 97 120
Iowa 3603 3603 3603 164 164
Kansas 7452 . . . . . . 95 95
Michigan . . . 41371 . . . 99 99
Minnesotab 4554 4554 4554 105 105
Missouri . . . 19132 . . . 100 100
Nebraska . . . 2517 2013 124 155
North Dakota 600 600 600 101 101
Ohio 26058 . . . 26058 171 171
South Dakota . . . 1565 . . . 120 120
Wisconsinb 7499 7499 7499 145 145

South
Alabamab,c 19262 19262 19262 103 103
Arkansasb 8060 8060 8060 105 105
Delaware . . . 4206 3192 114 150
District of Colu 7251 11099 9419 88 135
Florida 68996 . . . 50801 93 126
Georgia 35659 35659 35659 96 96
Kentuckyb 10411 10164 . . . 110 113
Louisianaa 17231 17804 . . . 94 97
Maryland . . . 21589 13384 99 160
Mississippib 10535 10535 10535 101 101
North Carolinab 27305 27500 27305 100 100
Oklahoma 11369 14151 . . . 128 160
South Carolinab 17586 18864 15333 102 125
Tennesseeb 13605 13328 . . . 97 99
Texas 132707 132707 136891 93 96
Virginiab 16166 16166 16166 149 149
West Virginiab 2438 2377 2485 100 96

West
Alaska 2603 . . . . . . 106 106
Arizona . . . 18486 . . . 115 115
California . . . . . . 71641 189 189
Coloradob . . . 8543 7050 110 134
Hawaiib . . . 2646 1750 123 186
Idahob . . . 2908 2203 104 138
Montana 900 1414 900 126 199
Nevadab . . . 7342 5842 106 134
New Mexicob 4636 4636 4645 81 82
Oregonb . . . 7202 . . . 106 106
Utahb . . . 3509 3893 82 91
Washingtonb,c 7231 9916 9916 108 148
Wyoming 981 1244 1035 113 143

Note: States were asked to report their rated, operational, and design
capacities. Tabulations reflect the highest and lowest of the reported capacities.
. . .Data not available.
aExcludes inmates sentenced to State prison but in local jails because of crowded
bExcludes prisoners housed in contract facilities
or local jails.
cExcludes capacity of community programs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a result, estimates of total capacity and measures of the
relationship to population are based on the highest and lowest
capacity figures provided. Twenty-four jurisdictions reported
one capacity measure or gave the same figure for each capacity
measure they reported.

****************************************
Most jurisdictions were operating above capacity
****************************************

Prisons generally require reserve capacity to operate efficiently.
Dormitories and cells need to be maintained and repaired
periodically, special housing is needed for protective custody
and disciplinary cases, and space may be needed to cope with
emergencies.

At the end of 1995, 12 States and the District of Columbia
reported that they were operating at or below 99% of their
highest capacity. Thirty-nine States, the District of Columbia,
and the Federal prison system reported operating at 100%
or more of their lowest capacity. By yearend the Federal
system was estimated to be operating at 26% over capacity.
State prisons were estimated to be operating at 114% of
their highest capacity and 125% of their lowest
capacity (table 9).

Table 9. State prison population
as a percentage of reported
capacity

State prisonsa
Highest capacity 854804
Lowest capacity 780226

Net change in capacity, 1994-95

Highest 82053
Lowest 76222

Population housed as a percent of c

Highest
1990 115
1991 116
1992 118
1993 118
1994 117
1995 114

Lowest
1990 127
1991 131
1992 131
1993 129
1994 129
1995 125

Note: States were asked to report
their rated, operational, and design
capacities. Tabulations reflect the
highest and lowest of the 3 capacities
reported from 1990 to 1995.
aData include estimated capacity
figures for Connecticut at yearend
1995.
bExcludes inmates sentenced to State
prison but held in local jails because
of crowding.
----------------------------------------------
Prisoners in custody of correctional authorities in the U.S. territories,
yearend 1995

Prisoners in custody
Sentenced Resident Prison
to more population incarcera-
Territory/commonwealth Total than 1 year 1995a tion rate, 1995b
Total 12807 9288 4172000 223
American Samoa 79 43 57366 75
Guam 379 286 153307 187
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 70 65 51033 127
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 11810 8660 3813000 227
U.S. Virgin Islands 469 234 97229 241

aMidyear population estimates were provided by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, International
Data Base.
bThe number of prisoners with a sentence of more than 1 yearper 100,000 persons in the resident
population.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

***************************************************************
Prisoners held in U.S. territories counted for the first time
***************************************************************

The U.S. territories and commonwealths -- American Samoa, Northern
Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands --
reported 12,807 inmates in custody of their prison systems at
yearend 1995. Prisoners with a sentence of more than 1 year
totaled 9,288 (or nearly three-quarters of the total territorial
prison population). Relative to the resident populations in the
territories, the rate of incarceration was 223 prisoners per
100,000 residents -- about half the combined rate of the 50
States and the District of Columbia.

Of the five territories, American Samoa had the lowest prison
incarceration rate _ 75 inmates per 100,000 residents, followed by
the Northern Mariana Islands with 127. The U.S. Virgin Islands had
the highest rate, 241 prisoners per 100,000 residents, followed by
Puerto Rico with 227.

Puerto Rico, the largest of the territories, had the most
sentenced prisoners (8,660). At yearend 1995, 21 States had
fewer sentenced inmates than Puerto Rico; 16 States had lower
incarceration rates.

For the first time, at yearend 1995, BJS collected counts of
inmates held in territorial prisons. The Violent Crime Control
and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322) established the
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Formula Grant Program.
This program, administered by the Corrections Program Office in
the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice,
requires from each territory and commonwealth a count of its
prison population. Beginning in fiscal year 1996, grant funds
will be allocated to each territory based on these counts.

**************************************************************
At midyear the Nation's jails supervised 541,913 offenders
**************************************************************

On June 30, 1995, an estimated 541,913 offenders were held in or
supervised by the Nation's local jail (table 10).

Table 10. Persons under jail supervision,
and type of program, midyear 1995

Number of person

Total 541913

Held in jail 507044

Supervised outside
of a jail facility 34869

Electronic monitoring 6788
Home detentionb 1376
Day reporting 1283
Community service 10253
Weekender program 1909
Other alternative work program 9144
Other pretrial supervision 3229
Other 887

aExcludes persons supervised by a probation
or parole agency.
bIncludes only those without electronic monitoring
cIncludes persons in work release programs, work
gangs/crews, and other work alternative programs
administered by the jail jurisdiction

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Six percent of these offenders (34,869) were supervised by jail
authorities in alternative programs outside of the jail facilities.
An estimated 507,044 offenders were housed in local jails.

As defined in this report, jails are locally-operated
correctional facilities that confine persons before or after
adjudication. Inmates sentenced to jail usually have a sentence
of a year or less, but jails also incarcerate persons in a wide
variety of other categories. (See box below.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jails--
* receive individuals pending arraignment and hold them awaiting
trial, conviction, or sentencing
* readmit probation, parole, and bail-bond violators and absconders
* temporarily detain juveniles pending transfer to juvenile
authorities
* hold mentally ill persons pending their movement to
appropriate health facilities
* hold individuals for the military, for protective custody, for
contempt, and for the courts as witnesses
* release convicted inmates to the community upon completion of
sentence
* transfer inmates to Federal, State, or other authorities
* house inmates for Federal, State, or other authorities because
of crowding of their facilities
* relinquish custody of temporary detainees to juvenile and
medical authorities
* sometimes operate community-based programs as alternatives to
incarceration.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

For the first time in 1995 the Annual Survey of Jails obtained
counts of the number of offenders under community supervision.
Respondents were asked if their jail jurisdiction operated any
community-based programs and how many persons participated in
them. Offenders under the supervision of a probation, parole,
or other correctional agency were excluded from these counts.
(See Methodology.)

Among persons under community supervision by jail staff, more
than a third were required to perform community service (10,253)
or participate in an alternative work program (9,144). Almost a
quarter were under home detention with electronic monitoring
(6,788) or without electronic monitoring (1,376). An estimated
1,909 offenders under jail supervision were in a weekend
reporting program. Another 1,283 were in day reporting programs.

******************************************************
Jail population grew by 4.2% during 12-month period
******************************************************

Between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1995, the number of persons
held in local jail facilities grew 4.2% -- from 486,474 to
507,044. Although the 12-month increase was much lower than
the 6.7% increase in the previous 12-month period, it nearly
equaled the average annual increase since 1990.

12-month Percent
period increase*

1994-95 4.2%
1993-94 6.7
1992-93 3.4
1991-92 4.2
1990-91 5.2
1989-90 2.4%
1988-89 15.1
1987-88 16.1
1986-87 7.8
1985-86 6.9

Annual average,

1990-95 4.6%
1985-95 7.0

*Percent increases before 1995 are based on inmate counts that
include a small but unknown number of offenders under community
supervision.

Since 1985 the Nation's jail population has nearly doubled on a
per capita basis. During this period the number of jail inmates
per 100,000 residents rose from 108 to 193. Including offenders
under community supervision by jail authorities, the rate
totaled 206 offenders per 100,000 U.S. residents at midyear 1995.

An estimated 7,888 persons under age 18 were housed in adult
jails on June 30, 1995 (table 11).

Table 11. Average daily population and number of men, women, and juveniles in local jails,
midyear 1985, 1990-95

1985 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Average daily population/a 265010 408075 422609 441889 466155 479757 509828

Number of
inmates, June 30/b 256615 405320 426479 444584 459804 490442 515122
Adults 254986 403019 424129 441780 455500 483717 507234
Male 235909 365821 384628 401106 411500 434838 455098
Female 19077 37198 39501 40674 44100 48879 52136
Juveniles/c 1629 2301 2350 2804 4300 6725 7888
Held as adults/d -- -- -- - 3300 5139 6018
Held as juveniles 1629 2301 2350 2804 1000 1586 1870

Notes: Detailed data for 1993 were estimated and rounded to the nearest 100.
--Not available.
/aThe average daily population is the sum of the number of inmates in a jail each day for a year,
divided by 365.
/bInmate counts for 1985 and 1990-94 include an unknown number of persons who were under
jail supervision but not confined. The 1995 count includes 8,078 persons under community
supervision. See Methodology.
/cJuveniles are persons defined by State statue as being under a certain age,
and subject initially to juvenile court authority even if tried as adults in criminal court. In 1994
the
definition was changed to include all persons under age 18.
/dIncludes juveniles who were tried or awaiting trial as adults.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over three-quarters of these young inmates had been convicted
or were being held for trial as adults in criminal court.
(See Methodology for changes in the definition of juvenile.)

The average daily population for the year ending June 30, 1995,
was 509,828, an increase of 6.3% from 1994.

*************************************************************
Demographic characteristics of jail inmates were unchanged
*************************************************************

Male inmates made up almost 90% of the local jail inmate
population at midyear 1995, about the same percentage as in 1990
(table 12).

Table 12. Sex, race, and Hispanic origin of local
jail inmates, midyear 1985, 1990-95

Percent of jail inmates
Characteristic 1985 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Sex
Male 92 90.8 90.7 90.8 90.4 9 89.8
Female 8 9.2 9.3 9.2 9.6 10 10.2

Race/Hispanic origin/a
White, non-Hispanic -- 41.8 41.1 40.1 39.3 39.1 40.1
Black, non-Hispanic -- 42.5 43.4 44.1 44.2 43.9 43.5
Hispanic -- 14.3 14.2 14.5 15.1 15.4 14.7
Other/b -- 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.6 1.7

Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
--Not available.
/aData on race/Hispanic origin were reported for 89.7% of all inmates in 1990,
91.1% in 1991, 97.6% in 1992, 85.1% in 1993, 95.8% in 1994, and 97.1% in 1995.
/bIncludes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, and Pacific Islanders.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An estimated 1 in every 205 adult men and 1 in every 1,936 adult
women were held in a local jail on June 30, 1995.

At midyear 1995 a majority of local jail inmates were black or
Hispanic. White non-Hispanics made up 40.1% of the jail
population; black non-Hispanics, 43.5%; Hispanics, 14.7%; and
other races, 1.7%.

***************************************************
Fewer than half of jail inmates were convicted
***************************************************

On June 30, 1995, an estimated 44% of the Nation's adult jail
inmates had been convicted on their current charge. An
estimated 223,200 adult jail inmates were serving a sentence,
awaiting sentencing, or serving time in jail for a probation or
parole violation (table 13).

Table 13. Conviction status of adult jail inmates,
by sex, midyear 1985, 1990-95

Percent of jail inmates
1985 1990 1991 1992 1993* 1995*

Total 250468 403019 424129 441780 455500 507200

Convicted 123409 195661 206458 217940 226600 223200
Male 114131 177619 185947 196656 203900 201600
Female 9278 18042 20511 21284 22700 21600

Unconvicted 127059 207358 217671 223840 228900 284100
Male 117560 188202 198681 204450 207600 254000
Female 9499 19156 18990 19390 21300 30100

Note: The number of convicted inmates may be undercounted because some
jail records do not distinguish between inmates who are unconvicted and
those who are convicted but waiting to be sentenced. Data for 1994 are not available.
*Data on conviction status by sex were reported for 88.9% of all adult inmates in 1993
and 96.3% in 1995. Totals were estimated using known data and rounded to the nearest 100.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Between 1985 and 1995 the number of convicted inmates rose by
nearly 100,000 -- up from 123,409. During the same period,
the number of unconvicted jail inmates, including those on
trial or awaiting arraignment or trial, doubled (from 127,059
to an estimated 284,100).

In 1995 male inmates were somewhat more likely than female
inmates to have been convicted. Among adult male inmates, 44.2%
had been convicted on their current charge, compared to 41.8% of
the female inmates.

****************************************************************
Jail capacity rose at record pace -- up 41,400 beds in 12 months
****************************************************************

At midyear 1995 the rated capacity of the Nation's local jails
totaled an estimated 545,763, an increase of 41,439 in 12 months
(table 14).

Table 14. Rated capacity of local
jails and percent of capacity
occupied, 1983-95

Amount of Percent of
Year Rated capacity capacity addedb capacity occupiede

1995 545763 41439 93
1994 504324 29100 96
1993 475224 26027 97
1992 449197 27960 99
1991 421237 32066 101
1990 389171 21402 104

1989 367769 28136 108
1988 339633 38435 101
1987 301198 15472 98
1986 285726 12986 96
1985 272830 11398 94

1984 261432 -124 90
1983 261556 -- 85

Note: Capacity data for 1984-87, 1989-92, and 1994-95 are
error. Negative numbers are in parentheses. See appendix
table 2 for sampling errors.
-Not available.
aRated capacity is the number of beds or inmates
assigned by a rating official to facilities within each jurisdiction
bThe number of beds added during the 12 months
before June 30 of each year.
cThe number of inmates divided by the rated capacity times
in a jail facility. For 1994 and 1995 the ratio includes only
those held in jail.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rated capacity is the maximum number of beds or
inmates allocated by State or local rating officials to each
jail facility. The growth in jail capacity during the 12-month
period ending on June 30, 1995, was greater than in any previous
12-month period on record. More than a quarter million beds
have been added since 1985.

******************************************************
At midyear 1995, 93% of jail capacity was occupied
******************************************************

As of June 30, 1995, 93% of the local jail capacity was
occupied. As a ratio of all inmates housed in jail facilities
to total capacity, the percentage occupied increased
considerably after 1983, reaching a record 108% in 1989 and then
falling to 93% in 1995. Since 1989, rated capacity has risen
nearly 178,000 beds, while the number of inmates has increased
almost 112,000.

Jail jurisdictions with the largest average daily populations
reported the highest occupancy rates. At midyear 1995 occupancy
was 97% of rated capacity in jail jurisdictions with an average
daily population of 1,000 or more inmates, compared to 77% in
those with fewer than 50 inmates.

Percent
Size of of capacity
jurisdiction* occupied
Total 93%
Fewer than
50 inmates 77
50-99 87
100-249 88
250-499 92
500-999 97
1,000 or more 97

*Based on the average daily population
in the year ending June 30, 1995.

******************************************************************
The 25 largest jail jurisdictions housed more than a quarter of
all jail inmates
******************************************************************

In 1995 the Nation's 25 largest jail jurisdictions accounted for
28% of all jail inmates. The jurisdictions were in 12 States:
7 in California; 5 in Florida; 4 in Texas; and 1 each in New
York, Illinois, Louisiana, Arizona, Tennessee, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin (table 15).

Table 15. The 25 largest local jail jurisdictions: 'Number of inmates, average daily population, and rated capacity, midyear 1993-95

Average daily Percent of capacity
Number of inmates populationa Rated capacityb occupied on June 30
Jurisdiction 1993 1994 1995 1993 1994 1995 1993 1994 1995 1993 1994 1995

Los Angeles County, CA 20065 20113 18236 23232 19725 19896 14372 13340 20049 140 151 91
New York City, NY 17307 18171 18143 17488 18091 18200 20556 18696 19033 84 97 95
Cook County, IL 9054 9092 10398 8851 8950 10837 7831 8032 9317 116 113 112
Harris County, TX 9472 10716 8825 11637 10282 8962 9800 8698 8698 97 123 101
Dallas County, TX 7592 9715 5721 6747 9321 7151 4808 6676 8629 158 146 66

Dade County, FL 5553 6338 6653 5489 6656 6728 4874 6752 6604 114 94 101
San Diego County, CA 5374 5487 6197 5350 5651 5820 3675 8672 5670 146 63 109
Orleans Parish, LA -- 5351 5558 -- 5231 5549 -- 7174 7174 -- 75 77
Maricopa County, AZ 4478 5170 5717 4641 4862 5503 4232 4910 4910 106 105 116
Shelby County, TN 6451 5124 5247 6426 4891 5091 6411 6344 5512 101 81 95

Orange County, CA 4659 4987 5157 4672 4836 5074 3954 3821 3821 118 131 135
Philadelphia City, PA 4836 4696 5076 4912 4799 4968 3750 5349 3750 129 88 135
Tarrant County, TX 4408 5317 3865 4508 5167 4468 3952 4996 4369 112 106 88
Santa Clara County, CA 4237 4303 4174 4451 4103 4161 4132 4088 3774 103 105 111
San Bernardino Cty,CA 2999 3136 4025 3146 3188 4100 2709 3744 4930 111 84 82

Alameda County, CA 3281 3330 3881 3604 3098 3903 3434 3552 4063 96 94 96
Bexar County, TX 3740 4301 3099 3400 3882 3569 2397 3640 3640 156 118 85
Broward County, FL 2921 3367 3573 2892 3165 3546 3656 3654 3656 80 92 98
Orange County, FL 3096 3470 3530 3386 3162 3441 3229 3329 3329 96 104 106
Baltimore City , MD 3112 3350 3777 3011 3160 3380 2833 2833 2933 110 118 129

Sacramento County, CA 2741 2954 3125 2976 2852 3094 2769 2749 2749 99 107 114
Duval County, FL 2423 2775 2628 2366 2383 2688 3300 3300 3300 73 84 80
Wayne County, MI 2280 2499 2598 2160 2400 2600 2585 2545 2628 88 98 99
Milwaukee County, WI 2292 2247 2491 1977 2165 2501 1904 1854 2274 120 121 110
Hillsborough County, FL 2126 1992 2536 2240 2108 2384 2276 2445 2649 93 81 96

Notes: Jurisdictions are ordered by their average daily population in 1995.
-Not available.
aBased on the average daily population for the year ending June 30.
The average daily population is the sum of the number of inmates in jail
each day for a year, divided by 365.
bRated capacity is the number of beds or inmates assigned by a rating official to
facilities within each jurisdiction.
cThe number of inmates divided by the rated capacity multiplied by 100.
For 1993 the ratio may include some inmates under supervision who were not confined in
a jail facility. For 1994 and 1995 the ratio includes only those held in jail.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 2 jurisdictions with the most inmates, Los Angeles County
and New York City, together held more than 36,300 inmates, or 7%
of the national total.

Overall, the 25 largest jurisdictions on June 30, 1995, held
a total population of 144,230 inmates -- 2.5% fewer than the
148,001 a year earlier. A total of 18 jurisdictions reported
increases in their populations.

Four jurisdictions in Texas reported sharp declines in the 12
months ending June 30, 1995. These jails recorded a 28% decline
in the inmate count from midyear 1994. These declines resulted
from the opening of State jails, which are classified as prisons
in the National Prisoner Statistics program. Among all jail
jurisdictions in Texas, the backlog of 20,720 State inmates,
with a delayed transfer to State facilities because of prison
crowding at yearend 1994, was eliminated by yearend 1995.

As a ratio of all inmates housed in jail facilities to total
capacity, jails in Orange County, California, and Philadelphia
City, Pennsylvania, had the highest percents occupied (135%),
followed by jails in Baltimore City, Maryland (129%). Jail
facilities in Dallas County, Texas, had the lowest percent
occupied (66%) on June 30, 1995.

*************
Methodology
*************

National Prisoner Statistics (NPS)

Since 1926 the Federal Government has conducted an annual
collection of prisoner statistics. Currently the Bureau of
Justice Statistics, with the U.S. Bureau of the Census as its
collection agent, obtains a yearend and midyear count of
prisoners from departments of correction in each of the 50
States, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of
Prisons. This report is based on the advanced yearend count
(NPS-1B) and are subject to revision when the final counts
become available (NPS-1).

In an effort to collect comparable data from all jurisdictions,
NPS distinguishes between prisoners in custody from those under
jurisdiction. To have custody of a prisoner, a State must hold
that person in one of its facilities. A State may have custody
of a prisoner over whom another State maintains jurisdiction. To
have jurisdiction, a State has legal authority over the
prisoner. Prisoners under a State's jurisdiction may be in the
custody of a local jail, another State's prison, or other
correctional facility. Some States are unable to provide both
custody and jurisdiction counts. (See NPS jurisdiction notes.)

The NPS counts include persons in the custody or jurisdiction of
State or Federal correctional authorities. Excluded from NPS
counts are persons confined in locally administered confinement
facilities who are under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
NPS counts include all inmates in State-operated facilities in
Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont,
which have combined jail-prison systems.

Annual Survey of Jails

In each of the 4 years between the full censuses, a survey of
jails is conducted to estimate baseline characteristics of the
Nation's jails and the inmates housed in these jails. The 1995
Annual Survey of Jails is the 11th such survey in a series begun
in 1982. The reference date for the 1995 survey was June 30.

Using information from the 1993 Census of Jails, a sample of
jail jurisdictions was selected for the 1994 and 1995 surveys.
A jurisdiction is a county (parish in Louisiana) or municipal
government that administers one or more local jails. The sample
included all jails in 796 selected jail jurisdictions and 23
multi-jurisdiction jails. A multi-jurisdiction jail is one in
which two or more jurisdictions have a formal agreement to
operate the facility.

In drawing the sample for 1994 and 1995, jail jurisdictions were
first stratified into two groups: single-jurisdiction jails and
multi-jurisdiction jails. All of the multi-jurisdiction jails
were included in the survey. The remaining jurisdictions were
then further stratified into two groups: jurisdictions with
jails authorized to hold juveniles and jurisdictions with jails
holding adults only. Jurisdictions were then selected based on
the average daily population in the 1993 census.

All jails in 203 jurisdictions were automatically included if
the jurisdiction held juveniles and had an average daily
population of 250 or more inmates in 1993 or if it held only
adults and had an average population of 500 or more. The other
jurisdictions (593) were then selected based on stratified
probability sampling.

Data were obtained by mailed questionnaires. After followup
phone calls to nonrespondents, the response rate for the survey
was 100%.

National estimates for the inmate population on June 30, 1995,
were produced by sex, race/Hispanic origin, and age group and
for the average daily population during the year ending June 30,
1995. National estimates were also produced for rated capacity.

Sampling error

Survey estimates have an associated sampling error because
jurisdictions with smaller average daily populations were
sampled for the survey. Estimates based on the sample survey
may differ somewhat from the results of conducting a complete
census.

Different samples could yield somewhat different results.
Standard error is a measure of the variation among the estimates
from all possible samples, stating the precision with which an
estimate from a particular sample approximates the average of
all possible samples. The estimated relative sampling error for
the total inmate population of 507,044 on June 30, 1995, was
0.58%. (See appendix tables 1 and 2.)

Appendix table 1. Standard error estimates for the the Annual
Survey of Jails, 1995

Relative
standard
Characteristic Estimate Standard error error (percent)

Total number
under supervision
541913 3299 0.61%

Number held in jail 507044 2931 0.58%

One-day counta
All inmates 515122 2985 0.58%
Adults 507234 2945 0.58
Male 455098 2657 0.58
Female 52136 474 0.91
Juveniles 7888 283 3.59
Held as adults 6018 242 4.02
Held as juveniles 1870 148 7.91

Average daily population 509828 2725 0.53%

Rated capacity 545763 3788 0.69%

Sex
Male 462670 2694 0.58%
Female 52452 480 0.92

Race/Hispanic origin
White non-Hispanic 200460 2181 1.09%
Black non-Hispanic 217573 2148 0.99
Hispanic 73372 969 1.32
Otherb 35441 416 1.17

Total conviction status
Convicted 214981 1991 0.93%
Male 194181 1841 0.95
Female 20797 302 1.45
Unconvicted 273689 1983 0.72
Male 244683 1812 0.74
Female 29006 281 0.97

aIncludes 8,078 persons supervised outside jail facilities.
bIncludes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, and Pacific
Islanders.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix table 2. Standard error estimates for the number of inmates and rated capacity
for the Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 1985-95

Number of inmates Rated capacity
Estimated Relative Estimated Relative
standard standard error standard standard error
Year Number error (percent) Number error (percent)
1995a 541913 3299 .61% 545763 3788 .69%
1995b 515122 2985 .58% -- -- --

1994 490442 2471 .50% 504324 3221 .64%
1992 444584 2076 .47 449197 2693 .60
1991 426479 2151 .50 421237 2522 .60
1990 405320 1778 .44 389171 2249 .58

1989 395553 1583 .40 367769 2042 .56
1987 295873 1687 .57 301198 2192 .73
1986 274444 1465 .53 285726 2093 .73
1985 256615 1459 .57 272830 2062 .76

aIncludes 34,869 offenders supervised outside of jail facilities.
bIncludes 8,078 offenders supervised outside of jail facilities.
--Not applicable.

Results presented in this Bulletin were tested to determine
whether differences between estimates in different years were
statistically significant. All differences mentioned in the
report meet or exceed the 95-percent confidence level.

Measures of population

Two measures of inmate population are used: the average daily
population for the year ending June 30 and the inmate count on
June 30 of each year. The average daily population balances out
any extraordinary events that may render atypical the inmate
count on June 30. The June 30 count provides data on
characteristics of inmates, such as race, Hispanic origin, and
age, that may not be available on an annual basis.

For the first time in 1995 the Annual Survey of Jails obtained
separate counts of the total number of offenders under jail
jurisdiction, those held in jail facilities, and those
supervised outside of jail facilities. Previous surveys and
censuses included a small but unknown number of offenders under
community supervision. To estimate the percent change from 1994
to 1995 in the jail population, the 1995 survey included a count
of inmates held at midyear 1994. Based on the 1995 survey
results, the 1994 survey total (490,442) included an estimated
3,968 persons under community supervision.

Survey estimates in 1995 by sex, adults and juveniles, and
conviction status include 8,078 offenders under community
supervision by jail authorities. These offenders could not be
excluded from the detailed estimates.

Juveniles

State statutes and judicial practices allow juveniles to be
incarcerated in adult jails under a variety of circumstances.
Because of the differing statutes and practices, however,
accurate and comparable data on juveniles are difficult to
collect. Beginning in 1994 the Annual Jail Survey provided
estimates of the total number of jail inmates under age 18, the
number held as adults, and the number held as juveniles. New
sampling procedures were also introduced in 1994 to minimize the
standard errors of these estimates. By stratifying
jurisdictions based on the authority to house juveniles, the
precision of the juvenile counts was improved.

**************************
NPS jurisdiction notes
**************************

Federal-- The rated capacity of Federal facilities on December
31, 1995, was 72,145 inmates. This does not include contract
bed spaces.

Alabama --The capacity of the community programs is not included
in the capacity data.

Population counts include 800 inmates housed in local jails due
to crowding.

Alaska --Prisons and jails form one integrated system. All NPS
data include jail and prison populations housed in-State and
out-of-State.

Population counts were based on jurisdiction data starting in 1994.

Arizona -- Population counts are based on custody data.

Population counts exclude 322 inmates housed in local jails due
to crowding.

Arkansas -- Population counts include 971 inmates housed in
local jails due to crowding.

The Department of Correction has one type of capacity which is
determined by the Board of Corrections and Community Punishment.
This figure is reported for operational, rated, and design
capacity.

California -- Population counts were based on jurisdiction data
starting in 1995.

Colorado -- Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more
than 1 year" include an undetermined number of inmates with a
sentence of 1 year or less.

Population counts include 1,563 inmates housed in local jails
and in facilities out-of-State (Minnesota and Texas) due to
crowding in State prison facilities.

Population counts include 174 inmates in the Youthful Offender
System, which is a program primarily established for violent
juvenile offenders. Of these 174 inmates, 78 inmates are
located in contract facilities.

Population counts include 976 inmates in community-based
programs.

Design and operational capacities do not include the Bent County
Correctional Facility (Las Animas, CO), Minnesota Prairie
Correctional Facility (Appleton, MN), and Bowie County Jail
(Texarkana, TX), which are contracted and do not include
community-based programs.

Connecticut -- Prisons and jails form one integrated system. All
NPS data include jail and prison populations.

Legislation in July 19956 abolished the capacity law so that
Connecticut's prisons no longer have rated or operational capacities.
Design capacity is recorded separately for each facility.

Delaware -- Prisons and jails form one integrated system. All NPS
data include jail and prison populations.

Capacity counts include the halfway houses under the Department
of Corrections.

Florida now reports rated capacity and defines it as the maximum
safe capacity as decided by the Department of Corrections.

Georgia -- Population counts are based on custody data.

Population counts exclude an undetermined number of inmates
housed in local jails awaiting transfer to prison. Inmates
housed in local jails are not considered part of the prison
population until they are admitted.

Hawaii -- Prisons and jails form one integrated system. All NPS
data include jail and prison populations.

Population counts include 300 inmates who were housed in
out-of-State facilities (Newton Co., TX, and Dickens Co., TX)
due to crowding in State prison facilities.

Idaho -- Population counts include 297 inmates housed in local
jails due to crowding.

Idaho no longer has a rated capacity. The reported operational
capacity is actually their maximum capacity; that is, double
celling every housing unit where it is legally or operationally
possible.

Illinois -- Population counts are based on custody data.

Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more than 1 year"
include an undetermined number of inmates with a sentence of 1
year.

Capacity figures include 887 inmates on electronic detention.

Indiana -- Population counts include 1,139 inmates housed in
local jails due to crowding.

Iowa -- Population counts are based on custody data.

Kentucky -- Population counts include 559 inmates housed in
local jails due to crowding.

Louisiana -- Population counts include 8,671 inmates housed in
local jails due to crowding.

The rated and operational capacities now include 478 beds in
contractual work release facilities.

Maine -- Population counts do not include inmates serving
concurrent sentences.

Massachusetts -- Populations counts were based on jurisdiction
data starting in 1994.

Population counts are as of January 1, 1996, and capacity counts
are as of January 2, 1996.

Population counts include 1,189 inmates housed in local jails
and in out-of-State contracted facilities due to crowding.

Population counts were based on jurisdiction data starting in
1994.

Michigan -- Population counts are based on custody data.

Population counts include adult prisoners in all institutions,
camps, and community corrections centers or under electronic
monitoring.

Population counts exclude 393 prisoners housed in county jails
and awaiting return to prison.

"Operational capacity" includes institutions, camps, and
community programs.

Minnesota -- Population counts include 63 inmates housed in
local jails due to crowding.

Mississippi -- Population counts are as of December 29, 1995.

Missouri -- Missouri defines operational capacity as the number
of beds.

Montana -- Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more than
1 year" include an undetermined number of inmates with a
sentence of 1 year or less.

Population counts exclude 135 inmates housed in local jails due
to crowding.

Nebraska -- Operational capacity is defined as the stress
capacity, which is 125% of design capacity. This is a newly
reported capacity ordered set by the Department of Corrections.

Nevada -- Population counts include 15 inmates housed in
out-of-State facilities due to crowding.

New Jersey -- Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more
than 1 year" include an undetermined number of inmates with a
sentence of 1 year.

Population counts include 4,258 inmates housed in local jails
due to crowding.

New Mexico -- Population counts include 416 inmates housed in
local jails and in out-of-State contracted facilities (49 in
Dallas Co., TX) due to crowding.

North Carolina -- Population counts include 1,949 inmates housed
in local jails and in out-of-State contracted facilities due to
crowding.

Ohio -- Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more than 1
year" include an undetermined number of inmates with
a sentence of 1 year or less.

Oklahoma -- Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more
than 1 year" include an undetermined number of inmates with a
sentence of 1 year.

Population counts exclude 291 inmates housed in local jails due
to crowding.

Oregon -- Population counts include 249 inmates housed in local
jails or in out-of-State contracted facilities due to crowding.

Rhode Island -- Prisons and jails form one integrated system.
All NPS data include jail and prison populations

Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more than 1 year"
include inmates with partially suspended sentences only if the
prison portion of the sentence exceeds one year. As a result,
the number of inmates "Sentenced to more than 1 year" is
understated.

South Carolina -- Population counts include 399 inmates housed
in local jails due to crowding.

South Dakota -- Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more
than 1 year" include an undetermined number of inmates with a
sentence of 1 year or less.

Tennessee -- Population counts are for December 28, 1995.

Population counts for inmates "Sentenced to more than 1 year"
include an undetermined number of inmates with a sentence of 1
year.

Population counts include 2,055 inmates housed in local jails as
of December 15, 1995, due to crowding and exclude an
undetermined number of felons sentenced to serve their time in
local jails.

Utah -- Population counts include 270 inmates housed in local
jails and in contracted out-of-State facilities (100 inmates in
Texas) due to crowding.

Design capacity is defined as the maximum number of beds
facilities can hold.

Vermont -- Prisons and jails form one integrated system. All
NPS data include jail and prison populations.

Populations counts were based on custody data (housed inmates)
starting in 1995.

Population counts exclude 511 inmates on furlough or
intermediate sanctions.

Virginia -- Population counts include 3,588 inmates housed in
local jails and in contracted out-of-State facilities (628
inmates in Texas) due to crowding as of January 2, 1996.

Washington -- Reported capacities exclude State work release and
pre-release facilities which housed 907 inmates. The
facilities' capacity of 1,070 is not specifically reserved for
State inmates; capacity within these facilities for inmates,
parolees, probationers, and offenders serving partial
confinement sentences is indistinguish- able.

West Virginia -- Population counts include 134 inmates housed in
local jail facilities due to crowding.

Population counts were based on jurisdiction data starting in
1994.

Wisconsin -- Population counts include 354 inmates housed in
local jail facilities due to crowding.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bureau of Justice Statistics
is the statistical agency of the
U.S. Department of Justice.
Jan M. Chaiken, Ph.D., is director.

BJS Bulletins present the first release of findings from
permanent data collection programs such as the National Prisoner
Statistics Program and the Annual Survey of Jails. State, local, and
Federal corrections officials have cooperated in reporting the
data presented.

Allen J. Beck, Ph.D., and Darrell K. Gilliard wrote this report.
Doris James Wilson and Caroline Wolf Harlow provided
statistical review. Yvonne Boston and Priscilla Middleton
edited the report. Marilyn Marbrook, assisted by Yvonne Boston,
administered final production.

Data collection and processing for the National Prisoner
Statistics program were carried out by Elizabeth Griffin under
the supervision of Gertrude Odom and Kathleen Creighton,
Demographic Surveys Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census.
Data collection and processing for the Annual Survey of Jails
were carried out by Lisa McNelis, with assistance from Pamela
Butler, Henrietta Herrin, Martha Greene, and Charline Watz,
under the supervision of Alan Stevens, Governments Division,
U.S. Bureau of the Census.

END OF FILE