From 1982 to 2023, excluding years 1983, 1988, 1993, 1999, 2005, and 2019.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) periodically conducts census data collections from all local jails in the United States. In years between census collections, BJS conducts the Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ). The ASJ gathers data from a sample of about 950 local jails—including city, county, regional, and private facilities—to produce national estimates on the number of inmates confined in jails, demographic characteristics and criminal justice status, holds for federal and state authorities, admissions and releases, staffing levels, and rated capacity. BJS discontinued the ASJ after 2023 as it shifted to annual Census of Jails (COJ) data collection to provide more timely state-level data.
The ASJ uses a stratified probability sampling design based on jail population data collected through the most recent Census of Jails (COJ). Jails in the ASJ sample are surveyed annually until the next sample is drawn. The ASJ sample is drawn at the jail jurisdiction level. When a jail jurisdiction with multiple jail operators or facilities is sampled, data are collected from all reporting units within that jail jurisdiction. The most recent sample refresh occurred in the 2020 ASJ, where a sample of 899 jail jurisdictions was selected to represent the approximately 2,850 jail jurisdictions nationwide. In selecting jails, all jurisdictions were grouped into 10 strata based on their inmate population and the presence of juveniles at midyear 2019. In 8 of the 10 strata, a random sample of jail jurisdictions was selected. The remaining two strata were certainty strata, where all jail jurisdictions were selected. One certainty stratum consisted of all jails that were operated jointly by two or more jurisdictions. The other certainty stratum consisted of large jail jurisdictions that—
- held at least one juvenile inmate and a total of 500 or more inmates on June 28, 2019 or
- held 750 or more adult inmates on June 28, 2019.
See Methodology in each report for details specific to the collection in the Jail Inmates at Midyear series.
For methodologies prior to the 2006 ASJ, refer to the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data.
Annual Survey of Jails (CJ-5)
Annual Survey of Jails: Certainty Multi-jurisdiction or Private Facility (CJ-5da)
Annual Survey of Jails: Non-certainty Private Facility (CJ-5a)
Annual Survey of Jails: Certainty jurisdictions (CJ-5d)
Annual Summary on Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction: Multi-jurisdiction or Private Facility (CJ-10A/5)
Annual Summary on Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction (CJ-9A/5)
Jails Report Series: 2024 Preliminary Data Release
Jail Inmates in 2023 – Statistical Tables
Jails Report Series: Preliminary Data Release (2023)
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2022 – Statistical Tables
Jail Inmates in 2022 – Statistical Tables
Jails Report Series: Preliminary Data Release (2022)
Juveniles Incarcerated in U.S. Adult Jails and Prisons, 2002–2021
Jail Inmates in 2021 – Statistical Tables
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2020 – Statistical Tables
Jail Inmates in 2020 – Statistical Tables
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2019 – Statistical Tables
Jail Inmates in 2019
Impact of COVID-19 on the Local Jail Population, January-June 2020
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2017-2018
Tribal Crime Data-Collection Activities, 2020
Jail Inmates in 2018
Jail Inmates in 2017
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2016
Jail Inmates in 2016
American Indian and Alaska Natives in Local Jails, 1999-2014
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2015
Jail Inmates in 2015
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2014
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2013
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 - Statistical Tables (Revised)
Correctional Populations in the United States, 2012
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2012 - Statistical Tables
Jails in Indian Country, 2011
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2011 - Statistical Tables
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2010 - Statistical Tables
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2009 - Statistical Tables
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2008 - Statistical Tables
Characteristics of inmates in local jails, midyear 2000 and 2005-2008
Jail Inmates at Midyear 2007
Correctional Populations in the United States, 1997
Drug Use, Testing, and Treatment in Local Jails
Selected Crime, Criminal Justice, and Demographic Data - 90 Most Populous Counties
Criminal Justice Resources - 90 Most Populous Counties
Jail Inmates in Custody
Jail Inmates, 1992
Jail Inmates, 1991
Women in Jail, 1989
Jail Inmates, 1990
Correctional Populations in the United States, 1988
Correctional Populations in the United States, 1987
Jail Inmates, 1987
Correctional Populations in the United States, 1985
Jail Inmates, 1986
Jail Inmates, 1985
Jail Inmates, 1984
Prior to 2015, the ASJ asked jails to report the total and detailed inmate counts on the last weekday in June (the midyear reference date). In 2015 and 2016, the ASJ collected the total confined population at midyear but detailed inmate counts by characteristics (i.e., sex, race or ethnicity, age category, conviction status, and most serious type of offense) on December 31 (the year-end reference date). Starting with the 2017 collection, the ASJ reverted back to the midyear reference. Comparisons of year-end data with midyear data need to consider seasonal variations, as jails typically hold fewer inmates at year-end than at midyear.