This report is the 22nd in a series that began in 1998 and presents statistics on persons held in Indian country jails. Findings in this report are based on BJS’s Annual Survey of Jails in Indian Country. It provides statistics on the demographic characteristics, most serious offense, and conviction status of persons held in Indian country jails. It also describes facility characteristics, including capacity and staffing. This report supports the mandate established by the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 that requires BJS to establish and implement a tribal data collection system, to support tribal participation in national records and information systems, and to annually report to Congress the data collected and analyzed in accordance with the act.
- After declining in 2020 (to 2,020 persons), the midyear Indian country jail population increased in 2024 for the fourth consecutive year (to 2,430 persons).
- Indian country jails admitted 6,120 persons during June 2024, a 12% increase from the 5,450 admissions during June 2023.
- The ratio of jail admissions to average daily population was 2.6 to 1 in June 2024 (6,120 admissions to 2,350 inmates), down from 4.8 to 1 in June 2014 (10,460 admissions to 2,170 inmates).
- Two-thirds (66%) of all individuals incarcerated in Indian country jails at midyear 2024 were held for a nonviolent offense or other holds, up from 62% at midyear 2023.