Allen J. Beck, Ph.D., Paige M. Harrison

November 30, 2006    NCJ 215092

Reports the number of persons in State and Federal prisons at yearend, compares the increase in the prison population during 2005 with the previous year, and presents prison growth rates since 1995. The report also provides the number of male and female prisoners on December 31, 2005, and the rates of incarceration by jurisdiction. It includes the number of prisoners held at yearend in the U.S. Territories and Commonwealths, in military facilities, and in facilities operated by or for the Bureau of Immigration and Custom Enforcement. Data are presented on prison capacities and the use of local jails and privately operated prisons. Estimates are provided on the number of sentenced prisoners by age, gender, race, and Hispanic origin, and type of offense.

Highlights include the following:

• Fourteen States had prison population increases of at least 5%, led by South Dakota (up 11.9%), Montana (up 10.9%), and Kentucky (up 10.4%).
• Eleven States experienced prison population decreases, led by Georgia (down 4.6%), Maryland (down 2.4%), Louisiana (down 2.3%), and Mississippi (down 2.2%).
• State prisons were operating between 1% below and 14% above capacity; Federal prisons were operating at 34% above capacity.

Part of the Prisoners Series

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