Census of Jails, 2005–2019 – Statistical Tables

• NCJ Number: 255406
• Author(s): Zhen Zeng, PhD, BJS Statistician; Todd D. Minton, BJS Statistician
• Date Published: October 2021
• Publication Series: Census of Jails
• Publication Type: Publication

Description

This report details characteristics of inmates, including demographics, conviction status, and most serious offense. It also reports data on jail facilities, such as rated capacity, facility functions, and jail staff.

Highlights

• At midyear 2019, a total of 734,470 persons were confined in local jails, and another 38,660 persons were supervised in programs outside of jail.
• From 2005 to 2019, the jail incarceration rate increased 10% for whites, 24% for American Indians and Alaska Natives, and 7% for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders. The rate decreased 25% for blacks, 33% for Hispanics, and 38% for Asians.
• At midyear 2019, about a third of jail inmates (253,730) were sentenced or awaiting sentencing on a conviction, while about two-thirds (480,740) were unconvicted, awaiting court action on a current charge or held for other reasons.
• At midyear 2019, 97,540 inmates (13% of the total inmate population) were jailed for violating probation, and 28,950 (4% of the total inmate population) were jailed for violating parole.