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

October 23, 2005    NCJ 210677

Reports the number of persons in State and Federal prisons at yearend, compares the increase in the prison population during 2004 with that of the previous year, and gives the prison growth rates since 1995. The report also provides the number of male and female prisoners on December 31, 2004. It includes incarceration rates for the States and the 5 highest and 5 lowest jurisdictions for selected characteristics, such as the growth rate, number of prisoners held, and incarceration rates. Tables present data 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.

Highlights include the following:

• The Nation's prison population grew 1.9% in 2004, reaching 1.5 million inmates.
• Ten States had increases of at least 5%, led by Minnesota (up 11.4%), Idaho (up 11.1%), and Georgia (up 8.3%).
• Eleven States experienced prison population decreases, led by Alabama (down 7.3%), Rhode Island (down 2.8%), New York (down 2.2%),
• Local jails housed 74,378 State and Federal inmates (5.0% of all prisoners).

Part of the Prisoners Series

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