U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics ------------------------------------------------------- This file is text only without graphics and many of the tables. A Zip archive of the tables in this report in spreadsheet format (.csv) and the full report including tables and graphics in .pdf format are available on BJS website at: http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=5414 This report is one in a series. More recent editions may be available. To view a list of all in the series go to http://bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbse&sid=32 ------------------------------------------------------- ********** Bulletin ********** Jails in Indian Country, 2014 Todd D. Minton, BJS Statistician An estimated 2,380 inmates were confined in 79 Indian country jails at midyear 2014, a 4% increase from the 2,287 inmates confined in 79 facilities at midyear 2013 (figure 1). The average number of inmates per operating facility increased from 26 inmates in 2000 to 30 inmates in 2014. At midyear 2014, the jail facilities in Indian country were rated to hold an estimated 3,720 inmates, up from 3,482 in 2013. In 2014, approximately 1,230 jail operations staff were employed to supervise the confined inmates, up slightly from the 1,180 jail operations staff at midyear 2013.*** Footnote 1 Jail operations staff include correctional officers, guards, and other staff who spend more than 50% of their time supervising inmates***. ********************************************* Jails operating in Indian country increased from 68 facilities in 2004 to 79 in 2014 ********************************************* The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has conducted the Annual Survey of Jails in Indian Country (SJIC) since 1998, although the survey was not conducted in 2005 or 2006. The number of operating jail facilities in Indian country increased from 68 in 2004 to 79 in 2013 and 2014. Over the 10-year period, 11 facilities permanently closed and 21 facilities were newly constructed. Two facilities in 2011 (one adult and one juvenile) were treated as one respondent in 2010. ****************************************************** ************* Highlights ************* * At midyear 2014, an estimated 2,380 inmates were confined in 79 Indian country jails—a 4% increase from the 2,287 inmates confined at midyear 2013. * The number of inmates admitted into Indian country jails during June 2014 (10,460) was nearly five times the size of the average daily population (2,170). * For the 79 facilities operating in June 2014, the expected average length of stay at admission for inmates was about 6 days. * Since 2010, about 3 in 10 inmates held in Indian country jails have been confined for a violent offense, a decline from about 4 in 10 since peaking in 2007. * Domestic violence (12%) and aggravated or simple assault (9%) accounted for the largest percentage of violent offenders at midyear 2014, followed by unspecified violence (5%) and rape or sexual assault (2%). * Nearly 2 in 10 inmates were held for public intoxication at midyear 2014. * The ratio of inmates to jail operations employees was about 2 inmates to 1 jail operations employee at midyear 2014, remaining stable since 2010. ****************************************************** Two facilities in 2011 merged into one facility in 2012. For more information on the Survey of Jails in Indian Country universe from 1998 to 2003, see the Jails in Indian Country series, located on the BJS website. BJS imputed inmate and facility population counts for facilities that did not respond to the survey, including seven facilities in 2004 (213 inmates, or 12% of all inmates confined at midyear), four facilities in 2007 (167 or 8%), two facilities in 2013 (37 or 2%), and five facilities in 2014 (223 or 9%). All operating facilities responded to surveys from 2008 to 2012. (See Methodology for information on jails in Indian country, including details on facility counts and participation in the surveys.) ********************************************* Percentage of occupied bed space declined from 86% in 2000 to 64% in 2014 ********************************************* At midyear 2014, the jail facilities in Indian country were rated to hold an estimated 3,720 inmates, up from 3,482 in 2013 (table 1). The increase was attributed to a new facility built for Nisqually Adult Corrections. From June 2000 to June 2014, the overall rated capacity grew at a faster rate (up 79%) than the midyear inmate population (up 34%). As a result, the percentage of occupied bed space declined from 86% in 2000 to 64% in 2014. When measured relative to the average daily population (ADP), the percentage of rated capacity occupied in Indian country jails was 62% in June 2013 and 58% in June 2014. A similar pattern was observed relative to the midyear inmate count from midyear 2013 (2,287 inmates) to midyear 2014 (2,380). Indian country jails operated at 64% of rated capacity at midyear 2014 and 66% at midyear 2013. ********************************************* The largest jails accounted for nearly a quarter of all facilities and over half of all inmates in Indian country ********************************************* Of the inmates confined in the 79 Indian country jails at midyear 2014, an estimated 87% (2,070) were held in 51 facilities rated to hold 25 or more inmates (table 2). Eighteen facilities holding an estimated 50 or more inmates accounted for more than half of the jail population at midyear 2014. The 28 facilities with a rated capacity of fewer than 25 inmates accounted for about 35% of all facilities and held 13% of all jail inmates in Indian country. The overall jail population ranged from no inmates in one facility to 185 inmates in the Tohono O’odham Adult Detention Center, which held nearly 8% of the total population in Indian country jails at midyear 2014. The 18 jails with a rated capacity of 50 or more inmates reported a similar pattern in the use of their bed space at midyear 2014 (59%) and on an average day in June 2014 (57%) (figure 2). On their most crowded day in June 2014, the 18 largest jails were operating at 72% of their rated capacity. The population of the 61 facilities that held fewer than 50 inmates varied at midyear 2014 (72% of rated capacity), on an average day in June 2014 (61%), and on their most crowded day in June 2014 (107%). Twenty-six of the 79 facilities (33%) in 2014 were operating above rated capacity on the most crowded day in June, which was similar to 2013 (table 3). Of the 26 facilities in 2014, 17 were operating above rated capacity on the last weekday in June 2014, and 14 were operating above rated capacity on an average day in June 2014. ********************************************* Admissions to Indian country jails slightly declined ********************************************* During 2014, the 79 Indian country jails admitted an estimated 10,460 persons—down slightly from 10,977 persons admitted to 79 facilities in June 2013 (table 4). In 2014, admissions to facilities rated to hold from 25 to 49 inmates accounted for about 45% (4,680) of all admissions, down from 54% in 2013. The remaining jail admissions occurred in facilities rated to hold 50 or more inmates (30%), 10 to 24 inmates (24%), and 9 or fewer inmates (1%) in June 2014. The 69 Indian country jails that provided data in both years reported about a 6% decrease in admissions, from 9,138 admissions in June 2013 to 8,565 in June 2014 (table 5). Specifically, 37 facilities reported either a decline (35) or no change (2) in their admissions, and 32 facilities reported an increase in their admissions. The average expected length of stay (the time held in custody from admission to release) was about 6 days in June 2013 and June 2014. ********************************************* The percentage of inmates held for a violent offense declined ********************************************* Since 2000, the distribution of Indian country jail inmates by sex and age has changed slightly. Although males represent the largest portion of the inmate population in Indian country jails, the percentage of female jail inmates increased between 2000 (20% of all inmates) and 2014 (25%) (table 6). The juvenile population declined from 16% in 2000 to 8% at midyear 2014. The distribution of inmates by conviction status and offense type also showed some change. After the percentage of convicted inmates peaked in 2009 at 69%, it declined to 51% by midyear 2014. Since 2010, about 3 in 10 inmates held in Indian country jails have been confined for a violent offense, a decline from about 4 in 10 since peaking in 2007. ***Footnote 2 For 2002, 2004, and 2007–2009 data, see Jails in Indian Country, 2012, NCJ 242187, BJS web, June 2013***. At midyear 2014, domestic violence (12%) and aggravated or simple assault (9%) accounted for the largest percentage of violent offenders. Inmates held for unspecified violence (5%) and rape or sexual assault (2%) accounted for about 7% of the jail population. Patterns of decline were also observed among inmates held for alcohol- and drug-related offenses. Inmates held for driving while intoxicated or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DWI or DUI) declined from 16% of the total inmate population in 2000 to 9% at midyear 2014. The percentage of inmates held for a drug law violation declined from 8% in 2000 to 5% at midyear 2014. In 2013, BJS enhanced the SJIC offense category questionnaire item to include burglary, larceny-theft, and public intoxication. The enhancement allowed for better classification of previously unspecified offenses. About 23% of offenses at midyear 2014 included public intoxication (20%), burglary (2%), and larceny- theft (1%), similar to 2013. ********************************************* The number of correctional staff increased since 2010 ********************************************* The 79 Indian country jails employed an estimated 1,710 persons at midyear 2014 (table 7). About 72% (1,230) of these employees were jail operations staff, including correctional officers and other staff who spent more than 50% of their time supervising inmates. Each year since 2010, about 7 in 10 personnel were jail operations staff. Overall, the ratio of inmates to jail operations employees was about 2 inmates to 1 jail operations employee at midyear 2014—remaining stable since 2010. In 2014, an estimated 480 jail personnel in the 79 Indian country jails were administrative employees; educational staff; technical or professional staff; clerical, maintenance, or food service staff; and staff performing other job functions. The number of jail operations staff increased nearly 4% from midyear 2013 to midyear 2014 and 22% from midyear 2010 to midyear 2014. ********************************************* Three deaths were reported in Indian country jails in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2014 ********************************************* Indian country jail authorities reported eight deaths in custody since midyear 2010 (not shown). Three deaths, including one suicide, were reported during the 12-month period ending June 30, 2014. During the same period, 70 facilities reported a total of 51 attempted suicides. The number of attempted suicides by inmates increased from 43 in 2013 to 49 in 2014, based on 66 facilities reporting valid data on attempted suicide in both years. Overall, attempted suicides in Indian country jails declined significantly after peaking in 2002. (For more information, see Jails in Indian Country, 2012, NCJ 242187, BJS web, June 2013.) *************** Methodology **************** The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) Annual Survey of Jails in Indian Country (SJIC) includes all Indian country correctional facilities operated by tribal authorities or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Department of the Interior. The survey was conducted in June 2014 and collected data about the number of inmates and percentage of capacity occupied based on the average daily population (ADP) in June, midyear population, and peak population in facilities in June 2014 (appendix table 1). The midyear count is the number of inmates held on the last weekday in June, ADP is the number of inmates confined each day in June divided by 30, and the peak population is the number of inmates held on the day in June in which the custody population of a facility was the largest. Through a cooperative agreement with BJS, Westat, Inc. conducted the SJIC to describe all adult and juvenile jail facilities and detention centers in Indian country. For this report, Indian country includes reservations, pueblos, rancherias, and other appropriate areas (18 U.S.C. § 1151). The reference date for the survey is June 30, 2014. Indian country is a statutory term that includes all lands within an Indian reservation, dependent Indian communities, and Indian trust allotments (18 U.S.C. § 1151). Courts interpret Section 1151 to include all lands held in trust for tribes or their members. (See United States v. Roberts, 185 F.3d 1125 (10th Cir. 1999). Tribal authority to imprison American Indian offenders had been limited to 1 year per offense by statute (25 U.S.C. § 1302), a $5,000 fine, or both. On July 29, 2010, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (TLOA) was signed into law, expanding tribal court sentencing authority. As a result, offenders may serve potentially lengthier sentences (up to 3 years) in Indian country correctional facilities (P.L. 111-211, H.R. 725, 124 Stat. 2258). Tribal law enforcement agencies act as first responders to both felony and misdemeanor crimes. For most of Indian country, the federal government provides felony law enforcement concerning crimes by or against American Indians and Alaska Natives. Certain areas of Indian country are under Public Law 83-280, as amended. Public Law 280 conferred jurisdiction over Indian country to certain states and suspended enforcement of the Major Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. § 1153) and the General Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. § 1152) in those areas. Indian tribes retain concurrent jurisdiction to enforce laws in Indian country where Public Law 280 applies. Annually, BJS updates its existing roster of jails in Indian country. BJS obtains data from administrators of Indian country jails by faxed questionnaires and through follow-up phone calls and facsimiles. The survey universe and response rates have changed over time. Over the 10-year period, a number of facilities have closed and new facilities have been constructed (table 8). For comparison over time, data on inmate population were imputed for the seven facilities in 2004, four facilities in 2007, two facilities in 2013, and five facilities in 2014 that did not respond to the surveys. In 2014, imputations for the midyear jail populations, average daily population, peak population, and admission during the month of June used the most recent available data. In some cases, facilities responding to the survey report incomplete data. The rated capacity for midyear 2014 was imputed for two facilities; one was based on 2013 data and one was based on 2012 data. The imputed value for the peak population for four facilities during June 2014 was based on their midyear or ADP in 2014, whichever was greater. ********************************************* Estimation of inmate characteristics in table 6 and jail staff in table 7 ********************************************* Table 6 ************ 2014 ****** Sex/age group -------------- * Estimated data for 4 facilities are based on their 2013 data. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their 2012 data. Conviction status ------------------ * Estimated data for 3 facilities are based on their 2013 data. * Estimated data for 2 facilities are the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2014 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2013. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their 2012 data. Type of offense ---------------- * Estimated data for 3 facilities are based on their 2013 data. * Estimated data for 2 facilities are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2014 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2013. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their 2012 data. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2014 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2011. 2013 ****** Sex/age group --------------- * Estimated data for 3 facilities are based on their 2012 data. Conviction status ------------------ * Estimated data for 3 facilities are based on their 2012 data. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2013 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2013. Type of offense ---------------- * Estimated data for 3 facilities are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2013 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2013. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2012 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2014. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their 2012 data. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their 2011 data. 2012 Sex/age group --------------- * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2012 to the reported number of inmates by sex in 2012. Conviction status -------------------- * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2012 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2012. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2012 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2013. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their 2013 data. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their 2011 data. Type of offense ----------------- * Estimated data for 2 facilities are based on their 2013 data. * Estimated data for 2 facilities are based on their 2011 data. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2012 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2012. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on their historical reporting of offense data into the “other” category. 2011 ******** Sex/age group --------------- * No estimated data. Conviction status -------------------- * Estimated data for 2 facilities are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2011 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2011. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2011 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2013. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2011 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2010. Type of offense ---------------- * Estimated data for 3 facilities are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2011 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2010. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2011 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2013. 2010 ****** Sex/age group -------------- * No estimated data. Conviction status ------------------- * Estimated data for 14 inmates are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2010 to the reported number of inmates by conviction status in 2010. Type of offense ---------------- * Estimated data for 3 facilities are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2010 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2010. 2000 ****** Sex/age group ------------- * No estimated data. Conviction status ------------------- * No estimated data. Type of offense --------------------- * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2000 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 2002. * Estimated data for 1 facility are based on the ratio of the total number of inmates in their jail at midyear 2000 to the reported number of inmates by offense type in 1999. Table 7 ********* * 2014 estimated data for 8 facilities are based on their 2012 data. * 2013 estimated data for 6 facilities are based on their 2012 data. Expected length of stay -------------------------- The stock-flow ratio method was used to measure the expected average length of stay for inmates held during June 2014. Stock--average daily population during June 2014 = 2,170 Flow--inmate admissions during June 2014 = 10,460 Stock--flow ratio in June 2014 = 0.207 (2,170/10,460 = 0.207) Expected length of stay in days (the average number of days held in custody from admission to release) = 6.2 days (0.207 × 30 days = 6.2) ************************************************** The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal federal agency responsible for measuring crime, criminal victimization, criminal offenders, victims of crime, correlates of crime, and the operation of criminal and civil justice systems at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels. BJS collects, analyzes, and disseminates reliable and valid statistics on crime and justice systems in the United States, supports improvements to state and local criminal justice information systems, and participates with national and international organizations to develop and recommend national standards for justice statistics. William J. Sabol is director. This report was written by Todd D. Minton. Tracy L. Snell and E. Ann Carson verified the report. Irene Cooperman and Jill Thomas edited the report, and Barbara Quinn produced the report. October 2015, NCJ 248974 ************************************************** ************************************************** Office of Justice Programs Innovation * Partnerships * Safer Neighborhoods www.ojp.usdoj.gov ************************************************** ********************** 10/7/2015/JER/10:55pm **********************