U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report Trends in State Parole, 1990-2000 September 2001, NCJ 184735 ---------------------------------------------------------- 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/tsp00.htm ---------------------------------------------------------- By Timothy A. Hughes Doris James Wilson and Allen J. Beck, Ph.D. BJS Statisticians ---------------------------------------------------------- Highlights State parole population has remained stable since 1992 * After more than a decade of rapid growth, the number of adults under State parole supervision has nearly stabilized -- increasing by 33,510 (0.7% per year) since 1992. * During the 1980's, entries to State parole supervision tripled, growing from around 113,000 to 349,000 in 1990. During the 1990's, parole en- tries continued to rise (up 2.4% per year), but were offset by an increase in parole discharges (up 4.6% a year). Since 1990 mandatory parole releases have increased, while discretionary releases have decreased * Between 1990 and 1999, the number of discretionary parole releases from prison dropped (from 159,731 to 128,708), while the number of mandatory parole releases nearly doubled (from 116,857 to 223,342). * In 1999, nearly 100,000 inmates released from State prisons served their entire prison term (18%), up from 51,288 (13%) in 1990. 42% of parole discharges in 1999 successfully completed supervision * Among State parole discharges in 1999, over half of discretionary parolees successfully completed their term of supervision, compared to a third of mandatory parolees. * Success rates were higher among parole discharges who were first prison releases (63%), age 55 or older (54%), and female (48%), than among those who were re-releases (21%), under age 25 (36%), and male (39%). ------------------------------------------------------------ By the end of 2000, 16 States had abolished discretionary release from prison by a parole board for all offenders. Another five States had abolished discretionary parole for certain violent offenses or other crimes against a person. As a result of the movement away from release by parole boards (discretionary parole), release determined by statute (mandatory parole) became the most common method of release from State prison. After 1990 mandatory parole increased from 29% of releases to 41% in 1999, while discretionary parole decreased from 39% to 24%. Despite changes in release policies, 652,199 adults were under State parole supervision at yearend 2000, more than a 3-fold increase since 1980, when 196,786 adults were on parole. About 312 adults per 100,000 adult U.S. residents were under parole supervision in 2000, compared to 121 in 1980 and 271 in 1990. While the average annual rate of growth in State parole from 1980 to 2000 was 6.2%, the largest increase occurred between 1980 and 1992, when the number of adults on parole grew 10% annually. After 1992 growth in the number of adults on State parole slowed, increasing at an average annual rate of 0.7%. This report focuses on trends in the State parole population after 1990, the effect of sentencing policies on community release, and the implications for success or failure of offenders under community supervision. -------------------------------------- Parole defined Parole -- a period of conditional supervised release following a prison term. Prisoners may be released to parole either by a parole board decision (discretionary parole) or according to provisions of a statute (mandatory parole). Discretionary parole -- parole boards have discretionary authority to conditionally release prisoners based on a statutory or administrative determination of eligibility. Mandatory parole -- generally occurs in jurisdictions using determinate sentencing statutes. Inmates are conditionally released from prison after serving a portion of their original sentence minus any good time earned. Data sources National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP) -- collects individual inmate records for prison admissions and releases and parole admissions and discharges. Annual Parole Survey (APS) -- provides a count of the total number of persons under parole supervision on January 1 and December 31, and a count of the number entering and leaving supervision during each year. National Prisoner Statistics (NPS-1) -- provides yearend jurisdiction-level data on the number of prisoners in State and Federal correctional facilities and the number of parole violators returned to prison during each year. Survey of Inmates in State Adult Correctional Facilities -- provides self-reported data on individual characteristics of State inmates admitted to prison while under parole supervi- sion and on characteristics of soon to be released inmates. -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- States have reduced the discretion of parole boards in determining prison release From 1990 to 2000, the State parole population grew at a slower rate than the State prison population. During this period, parolees increased 30%, compared to a 75% increase for State prisoners. On average, the parole population increased 2.6% per year, while the prison population rose 5.7% per year. The low rate of growth in parole supervision reflects changes in sentencing and parole release policies that have resulted in increasing lengths of stay in prison and declining prison release rates. (See Prisoners in 1999, August 2000, NCJ 183476.) Historically, most State inmates were released to parole supervision after serving a portion of an indeterminate sentence based on a parole board decision. (See box on this page for definitions.) In 1977, 69% of offenders released from State prison were released by a parole board. In 44 States and the District of Columbia, parole boards were responsible for the majority of prison releases. In other States most inmates were released through expiration of sentence (Louisiana, Missouri, and Wyoming), to probation (Idaho), or to mandatory parole (Alaska and Arizona). States began moving away from discretionary release policies in the 1980's in favor of determinate sentences and mandatory supervised release. By 1989 seven States had abolished discretionary parole. In 20 States the majority of prison releases were through expiration of sentence or mandatory parole release. As a percentage of all State prison releases, discretionary parole releases decreased from 55% in 1980 to 38% in 1989, while mandatory parole releases increased from 19% to 30%. Continuing the shift away from release by a parole board, an additional eight States abolished discretionary parole in the 1990's. Most of the remaining States further restricted parole by setting specific standards offenders must meet to be eligible for release. States that have abolished discretionary parole, 2000 All offenders Certain violent offenders Arizona Minnesota Alaska Delaware Mississippi Louisiana Florida/a North Carolina New York Illinois Ohio/c Tennessee Indiana Oregon Kansas/b Virginia Maine Washington Wisconsin a/In 1995, parole eligibility was abolished for offenses with a life sentence and a 25-year mandatory term. b/Excludes a few offenses, primarily 1st-degree murder and intentional 2nd-degree murder. c/Excludes murder and aggravated murder. ----------------------------------------------- By yearend 2000, 29 States and the District of Columbia had adopted the Federal truth-in-sentencing standard that requires Part 1 violent offenders to serve not less than 85% of their sentence in prison before becoming eligible for release. Part 1 violent offenses, as defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports, include murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. By adopting this standard, States could receive truth-in-sentencing funds under the Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing (VOITIS) incentive grant program as established by the 1994 Crime Act. VOITIS grants can be used by States to build or expand prison capacity. Five States (Delaware, Minnesota, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington) enacted truth-in-sentencing laws prior to passage of the Crime Act. The remaining States passed truth-in-sentencing laws after 1994. (See Truth in Sentencing in State Prisons, January 1999, NCJ 170032.) At yearend 2000 nearly three-quarters of the parole population was in the District of Columbia and the 29 States that met the Federal 85%-standard. Nine of the ten States with the largest parole populations in 2000 met the Federal truth-in-sentencing standard for violent offenders. Texas, with the second largest parole population, required violent offenders to serve 50% of their sentence. Overall, 11 States more than doubled their parole populations from 1990 to 2000; 6 of the 11 were Federal truth- in-sentencing States. In absolute numbers, 6 Federal truth-in-sentencing States (California, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) had an increase of 11,000 or more parolees. Thirteen States (9 of which were Federal truth-in-sentencing States) experienced a decline of at least 10% during this period. Four States accounted for nearly two-thirds of the growth in parole during the 1990's Four States (California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas) supervised over half of all State parolees at yearend 2000. Together, these States accounted for 64% of the growth in State parole from 1990 to 2000. Sixteen States experienced a decline in their parole populations. Washington State (down 98%), followed by North Carolina (down 68%) and Mississippi (down 52%), had the largest declines, as the result of abolishing discretionary parole. At yearend 2000 nearly 1 in every 320 adults were under State parole supervision. Overall, there were 312 parolees per 100,000 adult U.S. residents in 2000, up from 271 per 100,000 residents in 1990. Among States, Pennsylvania (with 876 parolees per 100,000 State residents), Texas (with 747), and Louisiana (with 704) had the highest rates of parole supervision. Excluding Maine and Washington, which abolished parole in 1975 and 1984, respectively, North Dakota had the lowest rate of parole supervision (24 per 100,000 State residents), followed by Nebraska (with 38), Rhode Island (with 44), and Florida (with 49). Since 1990 discretionary releases have declined; mandatory parole and expiration of sentence releases have increased Regardless of their method of release, nearly all State prisoners (at least 95%) will be released from prison at some point; nearly 80% will be released to parole supervision. (See Prisoners in 1998, August 1999, NCJ 175687.) As a percentage of all releases, mandatory parole releases increased from 29% in 1990 to 41% in 1999. Discretionary parole releases dropped from 39% to 24%, while releases due to expiration of sentence rose from 13% to 18%. In the 1980's discretionary parole was the primary method of release from State prison. Between 1985 and 1990 discretionary parole releases increased from 88,069 to 159,731. The number released by State parole boards peaked in 1992 (at 170,095) and declined each year thereafter, dropping to 128,708 in 1999. Consistent with the adoption of truth in sentencing and other mandatory release statutes, mandatory parole releases have steadily increased, from 26,735 in 1980 to 116,857 in 1990. By 1995 the number of mandatory releases exceeded the number of discretionary releases. In 1999, 223,342 State prisoners were released by mandatory parole, a 91%- increase from 1990. Growth in prison releases linked to drug offenders Overall, the number of prison releases rose from 405,374 in 1990 to 542,950 in 1999. Based on the most serious offense for which prisoners had served time, drug offenders comprised an increasing percentage of prison releases. Nearly 33% of State prison releases in 1999 were drug offenders (up from 26% in 1990 and 11% in 1985). The number of drug offenders released rose from 23,000 in 1985 to 105,800 in 1990. After 1990 the number of drug offenders continued to go up, reaching 177,000 in 1999. As a percentage of all releases from prison, violent offenders have remained stable, while property offenders have dropped sharply. Nearly 25% of releases were violent offenders in 1999 (down from 26% in 1990), and 31% were property offenders (down from 39%). Between 1990 and 1999, annual releases from State prison to parole supervision grew by an estimated 78,900 inmates. Drug offenders accounted for 61% of the increase, followed by violent offenders (23%), and public-order offenders (15%). The number of property offenders released to parole declined from 1990 to 1999. About 98,000 State prisoners were released unconditionally through an expiration of their sentence in 1999, up from 48,971 released in 1990. These inmates were released without any parole supervision. Of those released in 1999, 32% were violent offenders, 32% property offenders, 24% drug offenders, and 12% public-order offenders. Prison releases have served more time and a greater portion of their sentence before release Among all State inmates released from prison for their first time on their current offense ("first releases"), the average time served in prison increased from 22 months in 1990 to 29 months in 1999. Released inmates had also served an average of 5 months in local jails prior to their admission to prison. Overall, released inmates had served a total of 34 months in 1999 -- 6 months longer than released inmates in 1990. Murderers released in 1999 served on average 14 months longer than those released in 1990 (106 months versus 92 months). Rape offenders served 17 months longer (79 months compared to 62 months). Drug offenders served 27 months in 1999, compared to 20 months in 1990. Reflecting statutory and policy changes that required offenders to serve a larger portion of their sentence before release, all offenders released for the first time in 1999 served on average 49% of their sentence, up from 38% in 1990. Of the four major offense categories, violent offenders served the highest percentage (55%) in 1999, followed by public-order (51%), property (46%), and drug offenders (43%). Offenders convicted of assault served the highest percentage of their sentence (about 59%), followed by offenders convicted of rape (58%). Time served by released Part 1 violent offenders increased in 33 States between 1993 and 1999 Through the VOITIS program, 33 States reported an increase in average time served by released Part 1 violent prisoners between 1993 and 1999. Overall, time served by released Part 1 violent offenders rose from 46 months to 53 months. The average time served for violent of- fenders released in 1999 ranged from 29 months in North Dakota to 85 months in Missouri. The percent of the total sentence served increased from 46% in 1993 to 56% in 1999. Part 1 violent offenders in Missouri (86%), Arizona (81%), and Connecticut (80%) served the highest percent of their sentences before release. Violent offenders in Utah and Arkansas served the lowest percent of their sentences before release (36%). On average, in 1999 released violent offenders in Federal truth-in-sentencing States served 50 months (or 58% of the average maximum sentence), while violent offenders in other States served 55 months (54% of the maximum sentence). Between 1993 and 1999, the percent of sentence served by released violent inmates rose in 21 of the 25 truth-in-sentencing States that reported data and in 12 of the 21 States not meeting the 85%-standard. Inmates released by parole boards served longer than those released by mandatory parole In 1999 prisoners released by discretionary parole for the first time on the current sentence had served an average of 35 months in prison and jail, while those released through mandatory parole had served 33 months. Among discretionary releases, time served rose for all types of offenders during the 1990's. In 1999 violent of- fenders released by discretionary parole served 10 months longer than violent offenders released in 1990; property offenders served 6 months longer; drug offenders, 8 months; and public-order offenders, 3 months. Among mandatory parole releases, time served also increased for all types of offenses -- violent and public-order offenders served 6 months longer in 1999 than in 1990, while property and drug offenders served 7 months longer. Although the average time served by discretionary releases exceeded the time served by mandatory parole releases in both years, discretionary releases served a smaller percentage of their prison sentences before release. In 1999 discretionary releases served 37% of their total prison sentence (up from 34% in 1990); mandatory releases served 61% of their sentence (up from 55%). Prisoners released due to expiration of sentence had served longer in 1999 (36 months) than in 1990 (31 months). Violent offenders released through expiration of sentence had the largest increase (8 months) in time served in prison. In 1999 violent offenders released through expiration of sentence served, on average, 68% of their total maximum sentence, up from 53% in 1990. Among discretionary and mandatory parole releases, black offenders served longer than whites Time served by prisoners released for the first time on their current sentence in 1999 varied among white, black, and Hispanic prisoners. Overall, black non-Hispanic offenders released by discretionary parole in 1999 served 37 months; white non-Hispanics served 34 months; and Hispanics 33 months. Black offenders released by mandatory parole served 7 months longer than whites (38 months compared to 31 months). Hispanics served 30 months. Among released violent offenders, blacks served 4 months longer than whites before a discretionary parole release (62 months compared to 58 months) and 6 months longer before a mandatory parole (53 months compared to 47 months). Hispanic prisoners served the shortest amount of time for violent offenses before release (47 months before a discretionary parole release and 41 months before a mandatory release). In 1999 Hispanics served longer than other groups for drug offenses before a discretionary parole release (31 months versus 27 for whites and 28 for blacks). Black drug offenders served more time before a mandatory release (31 months), than whites (22 months) and Hispanics (26 months). Women released in 1999 served less time in State prison than men, regardless of the method of release. On average, women released by discretionary parole served 26 months, and men served 36 months. Women released by mandatory parole served 24 months and men served 34 months. For violent offenses, women served 45 months prior to discretionary release compared to 36 months among women who received a mandatory parole. Women in prison for drug offenses served 24 months before a discretionary release and 21 months before a mandatory release. Over half of prison releases had a prior incarceration; more than a quarter were parole violators A majority of released State prisoners had been in prison before and were returned to prison for new offenses or parole violations. According to inmates in State prison in 1997, 56% of those who expected to be released to the community by yearend 1999 had one or more prior incarcerations, and 25% had 3 or more prior incarcerations. Among those expecting to return to the community by 1999, 27% had been on parole and 26% on probation at the time of arrest for their current incarceration. These criminal records were compounded by histories of drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, and homelessness. Among prisoners expected to be released to the community by yearend 1999, 84% reported being involved in drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense. Nearly 25% were determined to be alcohol dependent, and 21% had committed the offense to obtain money for drugs. Fourteen percent were determined to be mentally ill, and 12% reported being homeless at the time of arrest. State parole entries and discharges rose during the 1990's During 2000 there were 441,605 entries to State parole, a 27% increase over the number that entered parole in 1990. The number of discharges from State parole rose from 274,697 in 1990 to 432,183 in 2000, an increase of 57%. During the 1990's, State parole entries increased an average of 2.4% per year, while parole discharges increased an average of 4.6% per year. Discharges include parolees who are successful as well as those who are unsuccessful (including revocations, returns to prison or jail, and absconders). Discharges also include parolees transferred to other jurisdictions and those who die while under supervision. Re-releases an increasing portion of State parole entries Among parole entries, the percentage who had been re-released rose between 1990 and 1999. Re-releases are persons leaving prison after having served time either for a violation of parole or other conditional release or for a new offense committed while under parole supervision. In 1990, 27% of entries to parole were re-releases; in 1999, 45% were re- releases. During 1999 an estimated 192, 400 re-releases entered parole, an increase of 103% over the 94,900 re- releases in 1990. After having been returned to prison for a parole or conditional release violation, re-releases served on average 13 months in prison in 1999. From 1990 to 1999 their average time served in prison following re-admission increased by 2 months. In both years about 7 in 10 re-releases had served less than 12 months in prison. State parole entries older in 1999 than in 1990 The average age of prisoners released to parole increased from 31 years in 1990 to 34 years in 1999. In 1999 an estimated 109,300 State prisoners age 40 or older were paroled, -- 26% of all entries to parole. This was more than double the 47,800 prisoners age 40 or older who entered parole in 1990. The number of parole entries among inmates under age 35 declined over the period. In 1999, 233,500 State prisoners under age 35 entered parole, down from 252,700. The largest decline was among inmates age 25 to 29. In 1990 they represented 27% of all parole entries; in 1999, 19%. Female entries to parole increased during the 1990's In 1999, 10% of entries to State parole were female, up from 8% in 1990. The number of women who entered parole increased from an estimated 27,600 in 1990 to 42,000 in 1999. Although the 52% increase in the number of female parole entries outpaced that of males (up 19%), there were 381,900 male entries in 1999. An increasing percentage of women entering parole had served time for drug offenses. In 1990, 36% of female parole entries were drug offenders; by 1999, 42% were drug of- fenders. Women first released to parole were less likely to be property offenders in 1999 (35%) than in 1990 (42%). As a percentage of women entering parole, violent offenders remained unchanged (16%). Among parole entries, the racial and ethnic distributions remained nearly stable during the 1990's. In 1999, 35% of parole entries were white, 47% were black, and 16% were Hispanic. Violent offenders accounted for approximately a quarter of first releases among whites, blacks, and Hispanics in both 1990 and 1999. Drug offenders represented an increasing percentage of parole entries, among all groups. In 1999 drug offenders comprised 39% of black parole entries (up from 31% in 1990); 43% of Hispanic entries (up from 41%); and 21% of white entries (up from 18%). Parole success rates unchanged since 1990 Of the 410,613 discharges from State parole in 1999, 42% successfully completed their term of supervision, 43% were returned to prison or jail, and 10% absconded. In 1990, 45% of State parole discharges were success- ful. Between 1990 and 1999 the percent successful among State parole discharges has ranged from 42% to 49%, without any distinct trend. States differed in their rate of success among parole discharges. States with the highest rates of success in 1999 were Massachusetts and Mississippi (at 83% each), followed by North Carolina (80%) and North Dakota (79%). Utah (18%) and California (21%) had the lowest rates of success in 1999. When comparing State success rates for parole discharges, differences may be due to variations in parole populations, such as age at prison release, criminal history, and most serious offense. Success rates may also differ based on the intensity of supervision and the parole agency policies related to revocation of technical violators. Success rates highest among first releases and discretionary parole releases In every year during the 1990's, first releases to State parole were more likely to have been successful than re-releases. Among State parole discharges in 1990, 56% of first releases successfully completed their supervision, compared to 15% of re-releases. Of all those exiting parole in 1999, 63% of first releases were successful, compared to 21% of re-releases. Success rates also varied by method of release. In every year between 1990 and 1999, State prisoners released by a parole board had higher success rates than those released through mandatory parole. Among parole discharges in 1999, 54% of discretionary parolees were successful compared to 33% of those who had received mandatory parole. Between 1990 and 1999 the percent successful among discretionary parolees varied between 50% and 56%, while the percent successful among mandatory parolees varied between 24% and 33%. Among parole discharges in 1999 who had been released from prison for the first time on their current offense, mandatory parolees had a higher success rate (79%) than discretionary parolees (61%). Discretionary parolees in 1999 who had been re-released from prison were more likely to be successful (37%) than mandatory parolees (17%). Among parole discharges, success rates rose for blacks and Hispanics; dropped for whites Between 1990 and 1999 the success rates among State parole discharges increased from 33% to 39% among blacks and increased from 31% to 51% among Hispanics, but dropped from 44% to 41% among whites. The 11 percentage-point difference in success rates between white and black parole discharges in 1990 narrowed to less than 2 percentage points in 1999. Hispanic parolees, who had the lowest rate of success in 1990, had the highest rate in 1999. For female parole discharges, the rate of success rose over 10 percentage points (from 37% in 1990 to 48% in 1999). The success rate among male parole discharges increased from 36% to 39%. Older parole discharges had the highest rates of success in both years. Accounting for 2.1% of discharges in 1999, parolees age 55 or older had the highest rate of successful completion (55%). Among parole discharges in other age groups, success rates fluctuated between 36% and 43%. Success rates highest among first releases serving less than 12 months in prison Among parole discharges, 74% of first releases who had served less than 12 months in prison successfully completed parole, the highest success rate among paroled first releases. As the length of time served in prison increased for first releases, the success rate declined, with offenders with the longest time served (5 years or more) having the lowest success rate (62%). The rate of success for this group still exceeded the overall success rate of 42% for all parolees. In 1999 parole discharges served an average of 26 months under supervision, up from 23 months in 1990 Among first releases from prison, successful parole board releases served, on average, 34 months in 1999; while successful mandatory parole releases served 21 months. Unsuccessful parole discharges released by a parole board served an average 26 months, while those released by mandatory parole served 19 months. Overall, successful parole discharges in 1999 served an average of 27 months under parole supervision and unsuccessful discharges served 24 months. Regardless of outcome, State parole discharges who had been released by a parole board served longer under supervision in 1999 than in 1990. Average time served Method of release on parole* 1990 1999 All releases 23 mo 26 mo Successful releases 25 mo 27 mo Discretionary 27 34 Mandatory 21 21 Unsuccessful releases 21 mo 24 mo Discretionary 19 26 Mandatory 22 19 Note: Based on prisoners with a sentence of more than 1 year who were released from State prison. *First releases only. --------------------------------------- Rates of successful termination higher when California is excluded The size and make-up of California's parole population, combined with the low percent of successful terminations (25% in 1999), affect the national rate of success for parole discharges. If data from California are removed from the analysis, the comparative rates of success for discretionary and mandatory parole change dramatically. Overall, California accounted for nearly 30% of all State parole discharges during 1999. Discretionary parole, though available as a method of release, is rarely used in California. In 1999 more than 99% of California's parole discharges had received mandatory parole. When California data are excluded, the success rate for all parole discharges rises to 53% (from 42%), and the rate for mandatory parolees increases to 64% (from 33%) in 1999. Percent successful among parole discharges in California and all other States, 1995-99 California Parole in all other States All Manda- Discre- Year parole All tory tionary 1995 22.7% 52.8% 64.0% 54.2% 1996 23.8 56.6 71.6 55.8 1997 22.8 55.9 67.2 55.8 1998 24.3 54.5 65.7 55.2 1999 25.2 53.3 63.9 53.9 Note: Based on prisoners with a sentence of more than 1 year who were released from State prison. ------------------------------------------- Number of parole violators returned to prison continued to rise during the 1990's In 1999, 197,606 parole violators were returned to State prison, up from 27,177 in 1980 and 131,502 in 1990. As a percentage of all admissions to State prison, parole violators more than doubled from 17% in 1980 to 35% in 1999. Between 1990 and 1999 the number of parole violators rose 50%, while the number of new court commitments rose 7%. On average, the number of parole violators grew 4% per year, while the number of new court commitments rose 0.8% per year. In 1999 parole violators accounted for more than 50% of State prison admission in California (67%), Utah (55%), Montana (53%), and Louisiana (53%) In five States -- Florida (7%), Alabama (9%), Indiana (10%), Mississippi (10%) and West Virginia (10%) -- parole violators comprised 10% or less of all admissions. In 36 States parole violators increased as a percentage of admissions between 1990 and 1999. As a percentage of all admissions, parole violators rose the most in Louisiana (from 15% in 1990 to 53% in 1999) and in Montana (from 20% to 53%). Nearly a quarter of State prisoners in 1997 were parole violators Based on personal interviews of State inmates, an estimated 24% of prisoners in 1997 said they were on parole at the time of the offense for which they were serving time in prison (up from 22% in 1991). Of the 1,129,180 inmates under the jurisdiction of State prison authorities at yearend 1997, approximately 271,000 were parole violators. Parole violators in prison in 1997 were older and more likely to have committed a public order or drug offense than parole violators in 1991. In 1997 about 25% of parole violators in prison were age 40 or older, compared to 17% in 1991. In 1997 an estimated 34% were serving time for a violent offense and 23% for a drug offense. In 1991, 36% of parole violators were in prison for a violent offense; 19% for a drug offense. In both years, more than 42% of parole violators reported having been incarcerated 3 or more times in the past. 70% of parole violators in prison in 1997 returned for a new offense Among parole violators in State prison in 1997, 215,964 (85%) reported that their parole had been revoked or taken away for violating the conditions of their release. Of that number, 70% said that their parole had been revoked because of an arrest or conviction for a new offense; 22% said they had absconded or otherwise failed to report to a parole officer; 16% said they had a drug-related violation; and 18% reported other reasons such as possession of a gun, maintaining contact with known felons, or failure to maintain employment. Half of parole violators incarcerated in 3 States The three largest State prison systems (California, Texas, and New York) held over half of all parole violators in prison in 1997. California held 22% of all parole violators in prison, Texas, 21%, and New York, 8%. Within each of these States, the percentage of prisoners who were parole violators was higher than the national level: 39% in Texas, 38% in California, and 28% in New York, compared to 24% nationally. Among parole violators returned to prison, those held in California (60%) were the least likely to have been arrested or convicted for a new offense and the most likely to have been returned for a drug violation (23%). About 11% of parole violators in New York and Texas reported a drug violation as a reason for their return to prison. Characteristics of parole violators varied among the 3 largest States A higher percentage of parole violators in California (7.1%) were women than in Texas (5.4%) and New York (3.3%). Nationally, 4.7% of parole violators in State prison in 1997 were women. New York had the highest percentage of parole violators in prison who were black (54%), followed by Texas (50%) and California (33%). In New York, 11% of parole violators were white; in Texas, 23%; in California, 31%. The percent Hispanic among parole violators ranged from 26% to 33% in the three States. New York had the highest percentage of parole violators convicted of a violent offense (41%), compared to 33% in Texas and 24% in California. New York also had the highest percentage of parole violators returned for a drug offense (34%), compared to 27% in California and 21% in Texas. Among the three largest States, parole violators in California had the longest criminal histories. More than 58% of parole violators in California had been incarcerated at least 3 times in the past, compared to 42% in Texas and 35% in New York. Nationwide, 44% of parole violators reported three or more prior incarcerations. Methodology National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP) The National Corrections Reporting Program collects individual level data for persons admitted to and released from State prisons and offenders exiting parole supervision, in each year. NCRP is the only national collection that provides data on offense, sentence length, and time served for State prisoners and parole discharges. While NCRP collects data on all offenders, this report includes data on prisoners with a total sentence of more than a year. In 1999 release data were reported by 37 States and the California Youth Authority: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These 37 States reported a total of 499,886 releases from prison in the National Prisoner Statistics series, which represented 91% of all releases in 1999. Between 35 and 39 States provided data on releases from 1990 o 1999. Data were reported on maximum sentence length for 93% of 227,100 first releases reported to the NCRP in 1990 and 93% of the 243,055 first releases reported in 1999. Data were reported on time served in jail for 77% in 1990 and 85% in 1999 and time served in prison for 95% in 1990 and 99% in 1999. In 1999, 27 States and the California Youth Authority reported data on parole discharges: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These 27 States reported 335,646 parole discharges in the 1999 Annual Parole Survey, which represented 86% of all State parole discharges in that year. From 1990 to 1999, 27 to 31 States submitted data on parole discharges. States that reported only successful discharges or only unsuccessful discharges were excluded from calculations of success rates. Annual Parole Survey The Annual Parole Survey provides a count of the total number of persons supervised in the community on January 1 and December 31, and a count of the number entering and leaving supervision during the collection year. The survey covered all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Federal System, for all years from 1980-2000. The 2000 parole survey was sent to 54 respondents, including 52 central reporters, the California Youth Authority, and one municipal agency. States with multiple reporters were Alabama (2) and California (2). The 2000 survey had a 100% response rate. National Prisoners Statistics (NPS-1) The National Prisoners Statistics (NPS-1) series obtains yearend and midyear counts of prisoners from departments of correction in each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Excluded from NPS-1 counts are persons confined in locally administered confinement facilities who are under the jurisdiction of local authorities. NPS-1 also collects comparable data on prison admissions and releases with a sentence of more than 1 year. Admission counts include data on new court commitments, parole violators returned to prison, and other types of admission. Data on method of release from State prison include counts for mandatory parole, discretionary parole, other conditional releases, and uncon- ditional releases from prison. Trans- fers, AWOL's and escapees are excluded from the release data in this report. Surveys of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities, 1991 and 1997 The Surveys of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities, conducted every 5 to 6 years, provide detailed data on individual characteris- tics of prison inmates. Based on scien- tifically selected samples of facilities and of inmates held in them, these surveys provide detailed information unavailable from any other source. To determine characteristics of inmates to be released by yearend 1999 -- including gender, age, race/Hispanic origin, offense, criminal history, substance abuse, mental illness and homelessness -- information was drawn for this report from the 1997 survey. Comparisons of parole violators and reasons for revocation in California, New York, and Texas (self-representing States in the sample) were also based on data from the 1997 survey. For descriptions of the 1991 and 1997 surveys and information on the sample designs and accuracy of the estimates, see Comparing Federal and State Prison Inmates, 1991, September 1994, NCJ 145864, and Substance Abuse and Treatment of State and Federal Prisoners, 1997, January 1999, NCJ 172871. ---------------------------------- The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. Lawrence A. Greenfeld is acting director. BJS Special Reports address a specific topic in depth from one or more datasets that cover many topics. Timothy A. Hughes, Doris J. Wilson, and Allen J. Beck wrote this report. Paige Harrison provided statistical review and verification. Ellen Goldberg and Tom Hester edited and produced the report. Jayne E. Robinson administered final production. September 2001, NCJ 184735 -------------------------------------- End of file 09/11/01 ih