U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin Probation and Parole in the United States, 2004 November 2005, NCJ 210676 ------------------------------------------------------- This file is text only without graphics and many of the tables. A Zip archive of the tables in this report in spreadsheet format (.wk1) and the full report including tables and graphics in .pdf format are available from: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ppus04.htm 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://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pubalp2.htm#ppus ------------------------------------------------------- By Lauren E. Glaze and Seri Palla BJS Statisticians -------------------------------------------------- Highlights Probation -- * The adult probation population grew 0.2% in 2004. This was the smallest annual growth rate since the survey began in 1979. * 50% of all probationers had been convicted of a misdemeanor, 49% of a felony, and 1% of other infractions. Twenty-six percent were on probation for a drug law violation, and 15% for driving while intoxicated. * Four States had an increase of 10% or more in their probation population in 2004: Kentucky (15%), Mississippi (12%), New Mexico(11%), and New Jersey (10%). * The adult probation population decreased in 21 States. Washington State was the only State with a double-digit decrease (down 27%). Parole -- * Overall, the Nation's parole population grew 20,230 in 2004, or 2.7%, more than twice the average annual increase of 1.3% since 1995. * Mandatory releases from prison as a result of a sentencing statute or good-time provision comprised 52% of those entering parole in 2004, up from 45% in 1995. * A total of 10 States had double-digit increases in their parole population in 2004, led by Nebraska (24%). * 9 States had a decrease in their parole population. Nevada (down 13%) was the only State with a decrease of more than 10%. ----------------------------------------------- During 2004 the total Federal, State, and local adult correctional population -- incarcerated or in the community -- grew by 59,900 to reach nearly 7 million. The growth of 0.9% during the year was a third of the average annual increase of 2.7% since 1995. About 3.2% of the U.S. adult population, or 1 in every 31 adults, were incarcerated or on probation or parole at yearend 2004. The probation population reached 4,151,125 on December 31, 2004. This represented an increase of 0.2% for the year, less than a tenth of the average annual increase of 2.8% since 1995. During 2004 the adult parole population grew 2.7%, more than double the average annual increase of 1.3% since 1995, to a total of 765,355. Nearly 5 million persons on probation or parole The number of adult men and women in the United States who were being supervised on probation or parole at the end of 2004 reached a new high of 4,916,480, up from 3,757,282 on December 31, 1995. These data were collected in the 2004 Annual Probation Survey and the 2004 Annual Parole Survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). Probationers are criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of correctional supervision in the community in lieu of incarceration. Parole is a period of conditional supervised release following a prison term. Prisoners may be released to parole either by a parole board decision or by mandatory conditional release. In 2004 the growth in the community supervision population was 0.5%, or 26,573 additional persons added during the year. The increase was less than a fifth of the average annual increase of 3.0% since 1995. Probationers accounted for half the growth in the correctional population since 1990 Probationers accounted for half the total growth in the correctional population since 1990. Overall, the correctional population increased by nearly 2.5 million, or 57%, from 1990 to 2004. Probationers accounted for 51% of the growth (or 1,262,000), followed by prisoners (27% or 679,000), jail inmates (12% or 309,000), and parolees (9% or 234,000). Community supervision declined as a percentage of the correctional population Between 1990 and 2004 the prison population was the fastest growing correctional population, with an average annual increase of 4.7%, followed by jails (4.1%), probation (2.8%), and parole(2.6%). As a percentage of the correctional population, offenders under community supervision accounted for 70% in 2004 (down from nearly 74% in 1990), while those incarcerated accounted for 30%(up from 26% in 1990). Probationers continued to account for the majority of all persons under correctional supervision in 2004 (59%, compared to 61% in 1990). Parolees were 11% of the total population in 2004 (down from 12% in 1990). In contrast, prisoners increased to 20% of the total correctional population in 2004 (up from 17% in 1990), and jail inmates increased to 10% (up from 9% in 1990). Correctional supervision rate rose sharply from 1980 to 2004 The rate of U.S. adult residents under correctional supervision nearly tripled between 1980 (1,132 per 100,000) and 2004 (3,175 per 100,000). During 2004 the U.S. resident population increased at a higher rate (1.2%) than the population under correctional supervision (0.9%). Despite growth in the total correctional population from 6,936,600 in 2003 to 6,996,500 in 2004, the rate of U.S. men and women under correctional supervision fell from 3,186 per 100,000 adult residents to 3,175 in 2004. 6 of the 10 States with largest probation populations also had large parole populations Texas, California, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois had 6 of the 10 largest probation populations in the Nation at yearend 2004. These six States accounted for more than a third of all probationers (37%). The same six States were among the 10 States with the largest parole populations in the Nation. Almost half of all parolees were supervised within these six States (48%). Texas and California alone accounted for more than 1 million adults supervised in the community, or about 1 in 5 probationers and parolees. Texas led the Nation with 530,845 persons on probation or parole, followed by California with 495,113. Among the States, Massachusetts had the largest percentage of its adult population under community supervision (3.4% at yearend 2004), followed by Texas (3.3%) and Rhode Island (3.2%). Despite having the largest parole population and the second largest probation population in the Nation, the percentage of California's adult population under community supervision was 1.9%, or slightly below the Nation's percentage of 2.2%. Eight States reported that less than 1,000 per 100,000 adult residents were under community supervision. New Hampshire had the lowest rate of supervision in the community (553 offenders per 100,000 adults). 4 States reported an increase of 10% or more in their probation population In 2004 Kentucky reported the largest increase (15%) in the number of adults on probation, followed by Mississippi (12%), New Mexico (11%), and New Jersey (10%). A total of twenty-seven States reported an increase in their adult probation population during 2004. Twenty-one States had fewer adults on probation at the end of 2004 than at the beginning of the year, led by Washington State, down 27%, the only double-digit decrease during 2004. 6,343 probationers added in 2004 During 2004 the probation population grew by 6,343. The growth in the number of probationers (0.2%) was less than a tenth of the average annual increase since 1995(2.8%). At yearend 2004 the probation supervision rate totaled 1,884 probationers per 100,000 adult U.S. residents -- the equivalent of almost 1 in every 53 adults. Two States, Massachusetts (3,301 per 100,000) and Rhode Island (3,117 per 100,000), had more than 3% of their adult resident population under probation supervision. A total of 11 States had less than 1% of their adult resident population under probation supervision. Two States had a rate below 500 probationers per 100,000 adult residents: New Hampshire (431 per 100,000) and West Virginia (488 per 100,000). Probation population grew less in 2004 than in any of the previous 25 years During 2004 the probation population increased 0.2%, the smallest increase in the population since the survey was introduced in 1979. The number of entries (2,217,900) exceeded the number of exits (2,210,400) during 2004. Compared to 2003 the number of entries to probation (2,217,900) declined (from 2,229,700 in 2003), and the number of exits (2,210,400) increased (from 2,179,800). Since 2000 entries to probation have increased at a slower rate annually (0.7%) than exits (1.3% annually). Growth in probation since 1990 linked to entries Since 1990 the probation population has steadily increased from 2,649,300 to 4,151,100 in 2004. Although the number of entries decreased from 1990 (1,637,600) to 1994 (1,397,500), entries exceeded exits during that period, resulting in an average annual increase of 3.0% in the probation population. The number entering probation has increased each year since 1994, except for a 2.0% decrease in 2001 and a 0.5% decrease in 2004. Between 1995 and 1999 the probation population increased an average of about 100,000 each year. Beginning in 2001 the annual increase in the number of probationers declined from 105,500, to 92,300 in 2002, to 49,900 in 2003. In 2004 the annual increase reached its lowest since data collection began in 1979 -- an additional 6,300 probationers. 5 States accounted for nearly a third of the growth in probation from 1995 to 2004 In absolute numbers the probation population increased 854,100 between 1995 and 2004. California experienced the largest growth (104,300), followed by Pennsylvania (60,400), Michigan (34,700), Illinois (34,400), and Minnesota (30,400). These five States accounted for 31% of the growth in probation since 1995. In 2004 three States, the Federal system, and the District of Columbia had at least 2,000 fewer adult men and women on probation at yearend compared to yearend 1995. New York had the largest decrease in the number of probationers (46,000). ----------------------------------------------- At yearend 2004 almost 1 in 4 probationers were female; more than 1 in 2 were white Nationwide women represented a slightly larger percentage of the probation population in 2004 than in 1995. Women were 23% of adults on probation in 2004 (957,600), up from 21% in 1995. At yearend 2004 more than half of all probationers were white (2,325,300); almost a third were black (1,235,100); and an eighth were Hispanic (518,100). Persons of other races comprised about 2% of probationers (72,700). Direct sentences to probation more common in 2004 than 1995 A larger percentage of probationers in 2004 had received a direct sentence to probation (56%) than in 1995 (48%). A smaller percentage had a probation sentence combined with incarceration (8%, compared to 15% in 1995). The percentage of probationers that received a sentence to incarceration which was suspended has slowly declined (26% in 1995, to 25% in 2000, to 24% in 2004). Half of all probationers convicted of a misdemeanor; success rates have remained stable since 1995 For the first time since data collection began in 1979, probationers convicted of a misdemeanor (50%) accounted for a larger percentage of the population than probationers convicted of a felony (49%). The largest percentage of the probation population was convicted of a drug law violation (26%), followed by a DWI (15%) and larceny/theft (12%). Almost 3 in 4 probationers were under active supervision at yearend. Probationers under active supervision are required to regularly report to a probation authority in person, by mail, or by telephone. The percentage of probationers required to report regularly declined steadily, from 79% in 1995 to 76% in 2000 and to 74% in 2004. About 1 in 11 probationers had absconded at yearend 2004. Though still on probation, absconders had failed to report and could not be located. Absconders remained stable at 9% of all persons on probation between 1995 and 2004. Sixty percent of the more than 2.2 million adults discharged from probation in 2004 had successfully met the conditions of their supervision. The percentage of probationers discharged successfully remained stable, from 62% in 1995 to 60% in 2000 and 2004. Probationers discharged from supervision because of incarceration due to a rule violation or new offense decreased from 21% in 1995 to 15% in 2000 and 2004. Another 4% of those discharged from probation had absconded, and 10% had their probation revoked without incarceration. ---------------------------------------------- Growth in parole twice the average annual increase since 1995 At the end of 2004 a total of 765,355 adult men and women were on parole. The population grew 20,230 during the year, or 2.7%, more than double the average annual increase of 1.3% since 1995. The growth in the parole population during 2004 was the second largest increase since 1995 (3.1% in 2003). At yearend 2004, 347 persons were under parole supervision per 100,000 adult residents, or 1 out of every 288 adults in the United States. Pennsylvania (806 per 100,000) was the State with the highest rate of parole supervision, while Washington and Maine had the lowest rates of supervision (3 per 100,000). Both the latter States abolished discretionary parole, in 1984 and 1975, respectively. Parole population increased in 39 States A total of 39 States had more adults on parole at the end of 2004 than at the beginning of the year. Double-digit increases were reported in 10 States. Nebraska (24%) was the only State to report an increase of over 20%. A total of nine States reported a decrease in their parole population during 2004, with Nevada (13%)having the only double-digit decrease. One State, Maine, reported no change in the parole population during the year. State parole population increasing after stability during the 1990's From 1980 to 1992 the State parole population increased from 196,800 to 618,700, or an average of 10% annually. During the period from 1992 to 1998, the growth in the population slowed, increasing a total of 10,500, the equivalent of an average annual increase of nearly 0.3%. In the following period, 1998 to 2004, the State parole population added 46,300 additional parolees, the equivalent of a 1% increase annually. Growth in State parole linked to entries From 1980 to 1990 the number of entries to State parole supervision more than tripled from 113,400 to 349,000. State parole entries continued to rise during the 1990's (up an average of 2.4% annually), but were offset by an increase in parole discharges (up an average of 4.6% annually). From 2000 to 2004 the number of State parole entries continued to exceed the number of exits, but both grew at a slower pace; entries grew 1.3% annually while exits grew 1.0%. Since 1980 discretionary releases to parole supervision have steadily declined As a percentage of all releases from State prison, discretionary releases by a parole board steadily declined from 55% in 1980 to 22% in 2003. From 1980 to 1995 mandatory parole releases increased (from 19% to 39%). These trends were consistent with the change in release policy occurring within many States after 1980, resulting in a shift away from discretionary releases in favor of determinate sentences and mandatory supervised release. (See Trends in State Parole, 1990-2000, October 2001, NCJ 184735.) Compared to the increase during the 15-year period from 1980 to 1995, mandatory parole releases remained relatively stable from 1995 (39%) to 2003 (36%). Releases from State prison due to expiration of sentence increased from 13% of all releases in 1990 to 21% in 2001. That type of release declined to 19% in 2003. From 1995 to 2002 other conditional releases from State prison rose slightly (from 10% in 1995 to 12% in 2000). These releases include unspecified releases and releases to probation. In 2003 other conditional releases comprised nearly 15% of all releases from State prison. 1 in 8 parolees were female At yearend 2004 women made up about 1 out of every 8 adults on parole (94,400). Women (12%) represented a growing percentage of the parole population since 1995 (10%). From 1995 to 2004 black parolees decreased as a percentage of all parolees (45% down to 41%). During this same period, the percentage of parolees who were white steadily increased (34% in 1995, 38% in 2000, and 40% in 2004). Almost 1 in 5 parolees were Hispanic (136,500). About 2% of parolees were of other races (11,700). More than 8 in 10 parolees were under active supervision Active supervision requires parolees to regularly report to a parole authority in person, by mail, or by telephone. This type of supervision steadily increased as a percentage of all parolees from 78% in 1995, to 83% in 2000, to 85% in 2004. Parolees on inactive status, excluded from regular reporting but still on parole, decreased as a percentage of all parolees, from 11% in 1995 to 3% in 2004. Another 7% of all parolees in 2004 had absconded, 4% were supervised out of State, and 1% were supervised through some other type of status. About 4 in 10 parolees served a sentence for a drug offense About 95% of all parolees had been sentenced to 1 year or more in State or Federal prison at yearend 2004. The largest percentage of parolees had been convicted of a drug offense (38%), followed by a property offense (26%) and a violent offense (24%). Another 12% of parolees had been convicted of other offenses, such as public order violations. Rates of success for parolees have remained stable since 1995 As a percentage of all discharges, parolees who successfully met the conditions of their supervision have remained nearly stable between 1995 (45%)and 2004 (46%). During this period the success rates for parolees were consistently lower than the success rates for probationers (62% in 1995 and 60% in 2004). Since 1995 the total estimated number of parolees discharged from supervision increased from 391,300 to 483,000 in 2004. During this time, the number of successful exits increased from 176,300 in 1995 to 223,400 in 2004. In 2004, 187,000 parolees were discharged from supervision and returned to incarceration because of a rule violation or new offense, up from 160,000 in 1995. Despite the increase in the number of parolees returned to incarceration, the percentage of all exits resulting from re- incarceration have remained nearly stable between 1995 and 2004 (41% and 39%, respectively). Methodology The Annual Probation Survey and Annual Parole Survey provide a count of the total number of persons supervised in the community on January 1 and December 31, 2004, and a count of the number entering and leaving supervision during the year. These surveys cover all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Federal system. The first annual report on probation and parole appeared in 1979. Data for the Federal system are from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts as provided to the BJS Federal Justice Statistics Program. Because many States update their population counts, the January 1, 2004, numbers may differ from those previously published for December 31, 2003. Probation The 2004 Annual Probation Survey was sent to 468 respondents -- 34 central State reporters, the District of Columbia, the Federal system, and 432 separate State, county, or court agencies. States with multiple reporters were Alabama (3), Arizona (2), Colorado (8), Florida (43), Georgia (5), Idaho (2), Kentucky (3), Michigan (128), Missouri (2), Montana (4), New Mexico (2), Ohio (187), Oklahoma (3), Tennessee (3), Washington (35), and West Virginia (2). A locality in Ohio did not provide data. For this agency, the 12/31/03 population count was used as the 1/1/04 and 12/31/04 counts. Since 1995 the survey coverage has been expanded to include 179 additional agencies. At yearend 2004, 219,195 probationers were under the supervision of these agencies. For year-to-year comparisons, use total counts based on the same reporting agencies --3,266,837 in 1997 to compare with the final 1996 counts; 3,417,613 in 1998 to compare with final 1997; and 3,772,773 in 1999 to compare with final 1998. Parole The 2004 Annual Parole Survey was sent to 54 respondents, including 52 central reporters, the California Youth Authority, and 1 municipal agency. States with multiple reporters were Alabama (2) and California (2). Federal parole as defined here includes supervised release, parole, military parole, special parole, and mandatory release. ----------------------------------------- The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. Lawrence A. Greenfeld is the director. BJS Bulletins present the first release of findings from permanent data collection programs such as the Annual Probation Survey and Annual Parole Survey. Lauren E. Glaze and Seri Palla wrote and produced this report under the supervision of Allen J. Beck. Christopher J. Mumola provided statistical assistance. Todd D. Minton and Paige M. Harrison provided statistical verification. Seri Palla and Lauren Glaze also conducted the collection and processing of data. Tina Dorsey and Tom Hester produced and edited the report. November 2005, NCJ 210676 B ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ This report in portable document format and in ASCII, its tables, and related statistical data are available at the BJS World Wide Web Internet site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ ------------------------------------------ End of file 10/25/05 ih