au .. 

U.S. Department of Justice 

National Institute of Justice 

u.s. Department of Justice 

Bureau of Justice Statistics 

Historical Statistics 

on Prisoners in State 

and Federal Institutions, 

Yearend 1925-86 

By 

Patrick A. Langan, Ph.D., 

Jolut V. Fundis, and 

Lawrence A. Greenfeld 

BJS Statisticians, 

and 

Victoria W. Schneider, Ph.D. 

Archival Assistant Director, 

Inter-university Consortium for 

Political and Social Research, 

University of Michigan 

May 1988 

NC,J-I11098 

111098 

, 

l 

This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the 

person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stated 

in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily 

represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of 

Justice. 

\ 

Permission to reprodlJce this ~material has been 

granted by 

Public nomain/BJS 

u.s. Department of Justice 

to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). 

Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permission of the c~owner. 

If you have issues viewing or accessing this file, please contact us at NCJRS.gov.
U.s. Department of Justice 

Bureau of Justice Statistics 

Steven R. Schlesinger 

Director 

Acknowledgments. This report was 

written by Patrick A. Langan, John 

V. Fundis, and Lawrence A. 

Greenfeld of BJS and by Victoria W. 

Schneider of the Inter-university 

Consortium for Political and Social 

Research at the University of 

Michigan. Marilyn Marbrook, BJS 

publications unit chief, administered 

production, assisted by Jeanne 

Harris, Christina Roberts, and 

Yvonne Shields. 

Many people contributed to building 

the dataset used in this report. In 

this regard, special recognition goes 

to Catherine Sharpe, Robert Denk, 

and Dena G. Myers, staff members 

of the National Criminal Justice 

Data Archive at the University of 

Michigan. 

The Bureau of Justice Statistics 

wishes to acknowledge the contributions of those many correctional 

officials, both past lUld present, 

whose cooperation over the more 

than aO-year history of National 

Prisoner Statistics made this report 

possible. We deeply appreciate the 

continuing commitment of all NPS 

participants to this series. 

The Assistant Attorney General, 

Office of Justice Programs, coordinates the activities of the 

following program offices aM 

bureaus: the Bureau of Justice 

Statistics, National Institute of 

Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice 

and Delinquency Prevention, and 

the Office for Victims of G'rime. 

ii Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions 
Contents 

L"ltroduction 1 

National trends, 1925-86 2 

Regional trends, 1925-86 2 

Individual State trends, 1925-86 2 

Trends in the size of the Federal 

prison population as a percentage 

of the total prison population 3 

Methodology 3 

How to obtain the data 4 

Sources 16 

Tables 

1. Sentenced prisoners in State and 

Federal institutions on December 31, 

1925-86 5 

2. Average annual change in 

prison population, 1925-86 

and 1980-86 14 

3. Total number of sentenced 

prisoners in State and Federal 

institutions and percentage of 

prisoners in Federal institutions, 

1925-86 15 

•• 

Introduction 

In 1926 the Federal Government, in a 

statistical series called "National 

Prisoner Statistics," began keeping 

annual records of State and Federal 

prison populations. The series has 

been in continuous operation ever 

since. Published reports from the 

series are the source of national 

statistical information on prison 

populations in the United States. 

Among the several continuously published measures of the prison population, one from the annual report is 

intended to provide a measure of the 

overall size of the prison population. 

This measure is the number of . prisoners present in State and 

Federal prisons at the end of each 

year. Changes from one year to the 

next in the number of prisoners 

present at yearend reveal whether 

prison populations are Increasing, 

decreasing, or staying the same in 

the United States. 

This report combines yearend population counts from the annual published reports into a single table 

(table 1). Table 1 shows the prison 

population of each State, the District of Columbia, and the Federal 

Government on December 31 of each 

year from 1925 to 1986. 

Over the more than 60 years in which . prisoner counts have been reported, 

definitions of included populations 

have occasionally changed, and published figures have been revised (see 

Methodology). Annual counts reported here are based on final revised 

figures and represent the most comparable data published. 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 1 
National trends, 1925-86 

. Record bigh number of prisoners. 

From 1925 to 1974 the record high 

prison population was in 1961, when 

220,149 persons were in prison. The 

record was brok!JD in 1975, when the 

prison population reached 240,593. 

Every year since 1975 a new record 

high was set. To date, the 1986 prison population of 563,794 is the highest number ever recorded. It nearly 

equals the 1986 population of Alaska 

(534,600), Vermont (541,000), 01' 

Wyoming (507,000). 

Record year-to-yem' numerical 

increase. The largest numerical 

increase in the prison popula.tion 

ever recorded was from 1981 to 1982, 

when the prison population grew by 

41,060 prisoners. At that rate, the 

equivalent of a new 1,000-bed prison 

would have to be built nearly every 

week just to keep up with prison 

popula tion growth. 

Record year-to-yem' percent&tJe 

increase. Over the past 62 years 

prison populations have typically 

illcreased from one year to the , next. The average year-to-year 

change has been a 2.896 Increase 

(table 2). The largest year-ta-year 

percentage increases ever recorded 

have all occurred in the past 12 

years. The largest year-to-year 

increase ever recorded was from 

1980 to 1981, when the prison 

population increased 12.996; the 

second largest, 11.9%, was from 

1981 to 1982; the third largest, 10%, 

was from 1974 to 1975. From 1980 to 

1986 the average year-ta-year 

change in the prison population was 

an increase of 8.8%. 

Record year-to-year percentage 

decrease. The largest year-ta-year 

percentage decrease ever recorded 

was from 1941 to 1942, when the 

prison population declined 9.1%; the 

second largest decline, from 1942 to 

1943. was 8.8%; the third largest decline, from 1965 to 1966, was 5.3%. 

Regional trends, 1925-86 

Record year-to-ye~ percentage 

increase. Over the past 62 years 

average year-to-year changes have 

been 2.'196 increases in the Northeast; 2.196 increases in the Midwest; 

3.496 increases in the ~uth; and 

3.996 increases in the West. Yearto-year changes from 1980 to 1986 

have averaged much higher: 10.896 

average yearly increases in the 

Northeast; 7.996 average yearly increases in the Midwest; 6.4% average yearly increases in the South; 

and 14.1 % average yearly increases 

in the West. 

2 Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions 

Individual State trends, 1925-86 

Record year-ta-year percentage 

mcre8BC. Over the historical period 

1925-86, the average annual change 

has ,been a 2.896 increase. The States 

with the historically largest average 

annual ineresses (596 or more) are: 

Alaska 

Delaware 

Florida 

Nevada 

Arizona 

14.3% 

6.0 

6.0 

5.9 

5.4 

The States with the historically 

smallest average annual increases 

(less than 196) are: 

Iowa .896 

Minnesota .7 

West Virginia. .1 

The States with the largest average 

annual increases during the 1980's 

(greater than 1596) are: 

Alaska 

Hawaii 

Arizona 

Alabama 

California 

New Hampshire 

Nevada 

New Mexico 

23.196 

17.7 

16.9 

16.7 

16.4 

16.1 

16.1 

16.0 

The States with the smallest average 

annual increases during the 1980's 

(less than 596) are: 

Texas 4.4% 

Oregon 4.3 

West Virginia 3.4 

Iowa 2.3 

North Carolina 2.2 

Tennessee 1.0 
'l't'ends in the size of the Federal 

prison population as a percentage 

of the total prison population 

Record high percentage of Federal 

Pl'isoners. The prison population has 

two components: a State prison population (including the District of 

Columbia) and a Federal prison population. The Federal prison population 

as a percentage of the total population has fluctuated over time. From 

1925 to 1945 the prevalence of Federal prisoners increased, reaching its 

all-time high level of 13.9% in 1945 

(table 3). 

Record low ~rcentage of Federal 

prisoners. From 1945 to 1982 the 

prevalence of Federal prisoners 

steadily declined, reaching its alltime low level of 5.696 in 1982 (table 

3). Since 1982 the prevalence of 

Federal prisoners has been growing. 

Methodology 

National Prisoner Statistics is a 

voluntary reporting program initiated by the Federal Government in 

1926. The Federal agency responsible for administering the program 

was the Bureau of the Census from 

1926 to 1949, the Federal Bureau of 

Prisons from 1950 to 1970, the Law 

Enforcement Assistance Administration from 1971 to 1978, and the 

Bureau of Justice Statistics from 

1979 to the present. 

Y<!arend prison population counts are 

the product of a yearly national census in which the responsible Federal 

agency asks each State correctional 

institution (or its central reporting 

agency), the District of Columbia, 

and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to 

report summary statistics. The census 

is one among many other censuses 

and surveys that together make up 

the series called National Prisoner 

Statistics. 

The census of yearend prison population uses a mail questionnaire. 

Results of the census are reported in 

an annual publication. Revisions to 

published results are reported in 

subsequent publications. 

For some years the same publication 

reported more than one set of yearend figures, reflecting different 

ways of defining the yearend population. The yearend figures that 

were chosen for inclusion in this publication are based on the most comparable data published. The most 

comparable data are: 1) those that 

define the prison popUlation as the 

total number of sentenced adult 

felons in the physical custody of 

State and Federal institutions at 

yearend and 2) those that reflect any 

revisions to originally published 

figures. Three specific exceptions to 

this definition are: 

o The prison population on January 1, 

1926, is reported here as December 

31, 1925. For other years as well, 

yearend population figures reported 

here are actually figures for January 

1 of the subsequent year. January 1 

counts are used because they provide 

an acceptable measure of the 

yearend population !md because they 

reflect revisions to previously 

published December 31 figures. 

• Figures for 1925 through 1970 

include a small number of misdemeanants (defined as inmates with a 

maximum sentence less than 1 year). 

Data for felons alone were not published during these years. Figures 

for 1971 through 1986 refer solely to 

felons (defined as inmates with a 

maximum sentence greater than 1 

year). 

18 Figures for 1986 are subject to 

revision. Final revised figures were 

not available at the time of this 

publication. 

Other exceptions are noted in the 

published reports from which the 

da ta wer~ taken. 

In most cases yearend figures reported here are not from the original 

publication. The source is typically 

a later publication presenting revised 

yearend figures. 

Further details of the methodology 

used in the annual census of yearend 

prison population are provided in the 

pUblication State and Federal Prisoners, 1925-85 (BJS Bulletin, NCJ102494, October 1986). Total prison 

populations reported here supersede 

those reported in that publication. 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 3 
-s m 

How to obtain the data 

The dataset for liB .. orical statistics 

on prisoners in Stale and Federal 

institutions, yearend 1925-86" is 

available in a variety of machinereadable formats (floppy disk, ninetrack tape, and so forth) from the 

National Criminal Justice Data 

Archive at the University of 

Michigan. Contact the archive at 

P.O. Box 1248, Ann At"bor, MI 48106 

(313-763-5010). In addition to the 

counts of prisoners by year and by 

jurisdiction, the dataset also includes 

general population estimates by year 

and by jurisdiction. Tliese general 

population estimates were supplied 

by the U.S. Bureau of the Census to 

this project and incorporate any 

revisions to previously published 

estimates. As a result, calculated 

rates of imprisonment (prisoners per 

100,000 population) from the dataset 

may differ from previously published 

rates. 

4 Prisoners in State and Federaiinstitutions 
Table 1. Sentenced prisoners in State and Federal institutions on Decemoor 31, 1925-86 

1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 

U.s. total 91,669 97,991 109,346 116,390 120,496 129,453 

Federal 6,430 6,803 7,722 8,233 12,964 12,185 

State 85,239 91,188 101,624 108,157 107,532 117,268 

Northeast 

Connecticut 948 920 1,005 1,097 1,210 1,328 

Maine 451 399 382 382 433 403 

Massachusetts 1,769 1,923 1,866 2,123 2,124 2,436 

New Hampshire 150 133 122 125 124 184 

New Jersey 2,213 2,383 2,518 2,846 2,865 3,187 

New York 6,820 7,367 7,583 7,819 8,135 8,856 

Pennsylvania 3,960 4,170 4,505 5,027 5,314 5,836 

Rhode Island 315 388 362 409 366 410 

Vermont 346 343 332 399 412 455 

Midwest 

Illinois 5,287 6,038 6,378 7,049 7,949 9,088 

Indiana 3,402 3,535 3,710 3,881 3,986 4,323 

Iowa 2,018 2,044 2,157 2,345 2,468 2,759 

Kansas 2,369 2,675 2,708 2,861 2,776 2,756 

Michigan 4,687 5,168 6,303 6,691 7,103 8,115 

Minnesota 1,906 2,240 2,167 2,135 2,360 2,242 

Missouri 3,059 3,442 3,624 3,828 3,971 4,311 

Nebraska 936 1,000 994 1,077 1,124 1,200 

North Dakota 304 309 302 298 330 369 

Ohio 5,398 6,209 7,530 8,335 8,804 9,251 

South Dakota 445 469 420 416 462 466 

Wisconsin 1,356 1,494 1,595 1,617 1,933 2,381 

t

J South 

Alabama 3,152 3,674 

Arkansas 1,297 1,231 1,241 1,124 1,153 1,312 

Delaware 332 

Dist. of Columbia 732 

Florida 1,427 1,910 2,503 1,648 1,592 1,985 

Georgia 3,007 2,945 3,184 3,424 

Kentucky 2,170 2,248 2,188 2,805 3,143 3,448 

Louisiana 1,575 1,686 1,746 1,963 2,130 2,440 

Maryland 1,886 1,921 2,095 2,296 2,281 2,602 

Mississippi 1,471 1,563 1,717 

North Carolina 1,490 1,478 1,723 1,954 2,232 2,327 

Oklahoma 2,513 2,677 3,281 3,484 31 690 3,614 

South Carolina 528 504 437 633 686 799 

Tennessee 1,916 2,023 2,182 2,450 2,676 2,887 

Texas 3,396 3,201 3,864 4,561 5,056 5,068 

Virginia 1,920 1,979 2,138 2,453 2,664 2,896 

West Virginia 1,768 1,799 1,762 1,931 2,174 2,344 

West 

Alaska 

Arizona 473 444 483 534 509 539 

California 5,285 5,794 6,049 6,815 7,071 7,116 

Colorado 1,185 1,129 1,258 1,209 1,250 1,331 

Hawaii 

Idaho 347 382 396 418 381 403 

Montana 420 437 471 503 668 721 

Nevada 203 232 188 261 245 225 

New Mexico 353 358 381 411 489 486 

Oregon 478 572 629 697 817 888 

Utah 206 210 208 210 278 314 

Washington 1,504 1,552 1,484 1,621 1,741 1,765 

Wyoming 282 264 301 318 357 338 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 5 
Table 1. Continued 

Sentenced prisoners in State and Federal institutions on I.»e!!ember 31, 1925-86 

1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 

U.s. total 137,082 137,997 136,810 138,316 144,180 145,038 152,741. 

Federal 12,964 12,276 10,848 12,058 14,762 15,374 15,309 

State 124,118 125,721 125,962 126,258 129,418 129,664 137,432 

Northeast 

Connecticut 1,342 1,366 1,267 1,238 1,299 1,243 1,204 

Maine 514 559 523 524 524 504 574 

Massachusetts 2,499 2,658 2,675 2,820 2,934 2,899 3,265 

New Hampshire 189 198 209 229 228 257 262 

New Jersey 3,263 3,212 3,289 2,975 3,110 3,079 3,457 

New York 9,089 9,613 9,807 9,349 9,891 10,379 11,263 

Pennsylvania 6,307 6,396 6,183 6,328 6,511 6,034 6,558 

Rhode Island 463 535 460 456 589 581 564 

Vermont 440 431 364 384 386 326 332 

Midwest 

lllinois 9,890 10,440 10,581 10,748 10,579 9,848 11,137 

Indiana 4,727 4,764 4s323 4,183 4,474 4,360 4,669 

Iowa 2,971 3,058 3,006 2,829 2,835 2,733 2,664 

Kansas 2,537 2,526 2,563 2,648 2,765 2,796 2,534 

Michigan 8,995 8,689 7,460 7,487 7,206 6,503 6,926 

Minnesota 2,443 2,592 2,599 2,659 2,594 2,506 2,379 

Missouri 4,577 4,579 4,632 4,536 4,671 4,917 4,855 

Nebraska 1,230 1,268 1,367 1,123 1,266 1,303 1,266 

North Dakota 433 365 363 309 268 271 255 

Ohio 9,154 8,603 9,119 8,787 8,645 8,174 8,795 

South Dakota 529 580 546 545 571 557 528 

Wisconsin 2,584 2,696 2,402 2,302 2,331 2,819 2,791 

South '" 

Alabama 

Arkansas 1,374 916 1,417 1,699 1,872 1,859 1,917 

Delaware 340 238 510 470 525 521 

Dist. of Columbia 813 1,048 1,174 1,259 1,430 1,668 1,670 

Florida 2,985 2,951 3,050 3,041 2,849 3,233 3,254 

Georgia 

Kentucky 3,504 3,439 3,322 3,928 3,306 4,261 4,261 

Louisiana 2,775 2,580 2,920 2,939 3,001 3,044 3,274 

Maryland 2,549 2,503 2,588 2,581 2,899 2,947 2,752 

Mississippi ... 2,571 

North Carolina 2,886 2,719 2,871 3,052 3,283 3,616 3,818 

Oklahoma 4,164 4,096 4,110 4,192 4,570 4,256 3,904 

South Carolina 1,194 1,167 1,181 1,244 1,310 1,250 

Tennessee 2,926 2,734 2,672 2,812 3,093 3,071 3,024 

Texas 5,385 5,190 5,347 5,214 5,904 5,948 6,400 

Virginia 2,991 3,312 3,323 3,451 3,794 4,074 4,248 

West Virginia 2,571 2,642 2,338 2,198 2,294 2,322 2,396 

West 

Alaska 

Arizona 587 677 615 572 613 688 696 

California 7,515 8,333 9,042 9,156 8,578 8,108 8,108 

Colorado 1,382 1,348 1,257 1,312 1,321 1,359 1,437 

Hawaii 

Idaho 330 274 246 249 300 305 325 

Montana 611 604 589 548 562 538 578 

Nevada 255 229 163 158 186 197 230 

New Mexico 546 526 548 524 604 559 651 

Oregon 861 868 795 808 909 1,060 1,035 

Utah 329 297 310 290 325 278 304 

·Washington 1,911 1,801 1,811 1,812 2,012 1,986 2,1~5 

Wyoming 352 312 311 313 322 363 364 

6 Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions '\ 
1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 

U.a.. total 160,285 179,818 173,706 165,439 150,384 137,220 132,456 

Federal 17,133 19,'130 19,260 18,465 16,623 16,113 18,139 

State 143,152 160,088 154,446 146,974 133,761 121,107 114,317 

Northeast 

Connecticut 1,174 1,166 1,146 1,055 1,163 1,175 1,115 

Maine 626 666 608 605 524 441 484 

Massachusetts 3,184 3,144 2,993 2,'121 2, '140 2,646 2,536 

New Hampshire 269 259 262 243 242 20', 210 

New Jersey 3,650 3,570 3,662 3,543 3,299 2,972 3,041 

New York 12,067 15,409 15,353 15,883 14,397 13,399 13,221 

Pennsylvania 6,740 6,939 6,690 6,799 6,851 6,682 6,621 

Rhode Island 500 411 308 348 360 3'll 331 

Vermont 381 379 343 322 256 230 214 

Mwdwest 

lllinois 11,790 11,707 11,374 10,234 10,019 8,631 7,766 

Indiana 4,606 4,463 4,361 4,218 3,909 3,293 3,034 

Iowa 2,593 2,648 2,574 2,447 2,104 1,795 1,677 

Kansas 2,515 2,494 2,431 2,237 1,895 1,539 1,383 

Michigan 7,306 7,731 7,65G 7,571 7,511 7,447 7,506 

Minnesota 2,570 2,640 2,589 2,415 2,058 1,769 1,617 

Missouri 4,706 4,652 4,208 3,949 3,473 3,040 2,758 

Nebraska 1,183 1,232 1,064 885 826 678 605 

North Dakota 292 318 353 319 268 216 210 

Ohio 9,310 8,840 8,758 8~260 7,442 '1,008 6,6'12 

South Dakota 512 439 400 371 324 239 210 

Wisconsin 2, '175 2,332 2,330 2,139 1,929 1, 'l06 1~U5 

South 

Alabama 7,248 6,446 5,166 4,096 4,036 3,044 

Arkansas 1,896 2,015 1,904 1,611 1,599 1,425 1,100 

Delaware 491 435 386 168 151 130 135 

Dist. of Columbia 1, '138 1,678 1,597 1,604 1,535 1,345 1,205 

Florida 3,578 3,753 3,648 3,'199 3,005 2,521 2,415 

Georgia ... 5,303 5,085 4,731 3,993 3,309 3,153 

Kentucky 4,664 4,695 4,531 4,410 3,725 3,155 2,491 

Louisiana 3,268 3,176 2,946 2,892 2,808 2,584 2,230 

Maryland 3,081 2,949 2,933 3,127 2,908 2,577 2,832 

Mississippi 2,680 2,591 2,651 2,53'1 2,512 2,251 1,922 

North Carolina 4,134 4,985 4,998 5,121 4,905 4,520 4,304 

Oklahoma 3,938 4,058 3,921 3,522 2,777 2,268 1,897 

South Carolina 1,219 1,299 1,276 1,217 1,175 1,082 966 

Tennessee 3,061 3,309 3,233 2,913 2,820 2,523 2,364 

Texas 6,989 6,831 6,070 5,814 4,835 3,644 3,394 

Virginia 4,412 4,369 4,144 4,038 4,142 3,841 3,870 

West Virginia 2,507 2,643 2$691 2,689 2,736 2,431 2,208 

f/est 

Alaska ... ... Arizona 709 801 796 726 653 603 603 

California 8,619 8, '119 8,182 7,201 6,018 5,729 5,710 

Colorado 1,639 1,749 1,556 1,536 1,386 1,303 1,174 

Hawaii ... Idaho 283 430 409 241 175 148 201 

Montana 544 577 522 492 412 353 342 

Nevada 224 243 255 241 216 231 221 

New Mexico 650 656 646 667 544 506 476 

Oregon 1,080 1,041 1,038 976 816 794 864 

Utah 349 411 438 318 276 264 272 

Washington 2,299 2,292 2,312 2,256 1, '/71 1,778 2,033 

Wyoming 351 38'1 363 337 274 276 265 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 7 
----~-~~ 

Table 1. Continu3d 

Sentenced prisoners in State and Federal institutions on December 31, 1925-8~ 

1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 

U.s.. total 133,649 140,079 151,304 155,977 163,749 166,165 165,680 

Federal 18,638 11,622 17,146 16,328 16,868 17,134 17,395 

State 115,011 122,457 134,158 139,649 146,881 149,031 148,285 

Northeast 

Connecticut 1,023 1,045 1,078 1,084 1,087 1,020 1,081 

Maine 576 570 627 632 650 736 698 

Massachusetts 2,660 2,374 2,664 2,620 2,537 2,375 2,315 

New· Hampshire 206 237 269 268 250 235 207 

New Jersey 3,227 3,541 3,958 4,190 4,301 3,991 4,005 

New York 12,796 12,995 14,090 14,749 15,246 15,313 15,587 

Pennsylvania 6,551 6,586 6,938 7,375 7,616 7,432 6,856 

Rhode Island 346 365 403 361 350 284 248 

Vermont 228 255 229 218 284 259 260 

Midwest 

lllinois 7,263 7,478 7,820 7,784 7,922 7,886 7,420 

Indiana 3,112 3,439 3,942 4,296 4,707 4,738 4,603 

Iowa 1,673 1,695 1,824 1,990 2,104 2,084 2,081 

Kansas 1,302 1,267 1,345 1,458 1,765 1,959 1,895 

Michigan 7,392 7,829 8,241 8,161 8,589 8,591 9,132 

Minnesota 1,544 1,586 1,616 1,699 1,777 1,879 1,834 

Missouri 2,749 2,922 3,161 3,155 3,209 3,400 3,252 

Nebraska 683 836 914 1,020 1,193 1,147 1,131 

North Dakota 210 240 243 244 242 235 224 

Ohio 6,735 7,264 8,134 8,261 8,835 9,128 9,132 

South Dakota 232 300 363 422 418 451 411 

Wisconsin 1,439 1,588 1,705 1,915 1,991 2,017 1,880 

South 

Alabama 3,646 3,948 4,432 4,679 5,036 4,454 4,416 

Arkansas 1,140 1,252 1,446 1,442 1,595 1,541 1,471 

D::!laware 153 169 189 178 157 158 161 

Dist. of Columbia 1,126 1,115 1,102 1,258 1,372 1,478 1,514 

Florida 2,525 2,952 3,460 3,761 3,851 3,973 3,860 

Georgia 3,585 3,693 4,18'1 4,269 4,449 4,545 4,542 

Kentucky 2,248 2,234 2,363 2,906 3,198 3,259 2,995 

Louisiana 2,075 2,220 2~304 2,288 2,514 2,674 2,583 

Maryland 2,885 3,481 3,597 3,771 4,148 3,892 3,952 

Mississippi 1,781 1,846 1,893 1,886 1,970 2,158 2,168 

North Carolina 4,258 4,438 4,907 5,016 5,144 5,004 5,223 

Oklahoma 1,909 2,122 2,224 2,229 2,297 2,401 2,430 

South Carolina 936 1,048 1,256 1,387 1,413 1,513 1,583 

Tennessee 2,232 2,380 2,637 2,665 2,715 2,'180 2,683 

Texas 3,291 4,246 5,675 5,792 5,958 6,424 6,60~ 

Virginia 3,853 3,937 3,992 3,984 4,242 4,439 4,540 

West Virginia 2,044 2,178 ~,309 2,484 2,776 2,904 2,974 

West 

Alaska 

Arizona 645 784 941 964 894 878 900 

California 6,628 7,373 8,547 9,563 10,377 11,056 11,464 

Colora.do 1,211 1,331 1,389 1,456 1,362 1,490 1,446 

Hawaii ... Idaho 194 257 326 381 479 514 469 

Montana 342 361 428 464 584 595 575 

Nevada 229 278 263 251 300 240 285 

New Mexico 524 G07 630 580 637 105 665 

Oregon 982 1,106 1,200 1,308 1,400 1,534 1,542 

Utah 342 409 487 485 476 562 469 

Washington 2,002 1,951 2,044 1,944 2,053 2,290 2,151 Wyoming 278 323 366 356 411 410 368 

8 Prisoners in State and Federal institutions 
1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 

U.s. total 168,233 173,579 182,901 185,780 189,565 195,256 205,643 

Federal 18,014 19,363 20,003 20,088 20,134 20,420 21,549 

state 150,219 154,216 162,898 165,692 169,431 174,836 184,094 

Northeast 

Connecticut 1,093 1,173 1,188 1,260 1,263 1,329 1,565 

Maine 635 641 611 620 646 621 647 

Massachusetts 2,165 2,075 2,092 1,995 1,879 1,884 1,906 

New Hampshire 193 193 169 198 192 167 144 

New Jersey 3,640 3,625 3,796 3,782 3,944 3,848 3,996 

New York 16,097 16,328 16,530 17,069 17,345 17,659 17,552 

Pennsylvania 6,812 6,636 7,205 7,342 7,462 7,614 7,945 

Rhode Island 255 257 289 305 298 253 272 

Vermont 303 280 278 285 254 248 295 

Midwest 

Illinois 7,411 7,632 7,948 8,130 8,053 8,451 8,606 

Indiana 4p 610 4,504 4,459 4,462 4,632 5,050 5,296 

Iowa 2,040 2,034 2,162 2,203 2,177 2,148 2,167 

Kansas 1,977 2,090 2,113 1,974 1,932 1,945 2,001 

Michigan 8,732 8,912 9,571 9,547 10,071 10,138 10,334 

Minnesota 1,775 1,848 1,985 1,964 2,063 2,153 2,128 

Missouri 3,301 3,518 3,932 3,966 3,703 3,703 3,673 

Nebraska 1,132 1,038 1,010 1,080 1,072 1,091 1,210 

North Dakota 211 209 231 228 232 241 293 

Ohio 9,250 9,482 10,146 10,483 10,679 11,257 11,365 

South Dakota 442 443 448 423 451 464 467 

Wisconsin 1s932 2,216 2,210 2,281 2,336 2,282 2,617 

South 

Alabama 4,646 4,879 5,255 5,222 5,407 5,224 5,543 

Arkansas 1,483 1,470 1,665 1,751 1,721 1,776 1,849 

Delaware 153 151 165 172 226 213 226 

Dist. of Columbia 1,529 1,786 1,914 1,943 2,119 1,968 2,064 

Florida 3,894 3,878 4,343 4,830 5,107 5,668 6,374 

Georgia 4,'119 5,185 5,442 5,701 5,908 6,285 6,824 

Kentucky 3,089 3,176 3,399 3,349 3,170 3,125 3,531 

Louisiana 2,456 2,532 2,842 3,026 3,220 3,363 3,636 

Maryland 4,400 4,500 4,930 4,685 5,117 5,099 5,037 

Mississippi 2,060 1,890 1,970 2,080 2,011 1,967 2,066 

North Carolina 5,250 5,497 5,530 5,334 5,497 5,702 5,804 

Oklahoma 2,390 2,423 2,479 2,600 2,664 2,666 2,754 

South Carolina 1,662 1,776 1,853 1,852 1,868 1,963 2,200 

Tennessee 2,601 2,474 2,706 2,723 2,713 2,657 2,712 

Texas 6,960 7,781 8,50~ 8,622 9,268 10,091 10,531 

Virginia 4,608 4,587 4,938 4,869 4,869 5,135 5,719 

West Virginia 2,697 2,316 2,220 2,269 2,101 2,191 2,406 

West 

Alaska ... Arizona 931 994 1,007 1,055 1,118 1,238 1,392 

California 12,612 13,365 14,572 15,230 15,532 16,918 19,202 

Colorado 1,520 1,597 1,783 1,800 1,912 2,006 1,972 

Hawaii ... Idaho 450 464 511 520 526 538 587 

Montana 577 631 674 529 586 596 645 

Nevada 341 329 349 373 370 352 380 

New Mexico 599 628 629 7241 764 888 1,060 Oregon 1,508 1,591 1,516 1,55~~ 1,557 1,400 1,524 Utah 549 583 560 5M 602 567 570 

Washington 2,224 2,331 2,438 2,443 2,468 2,422 2,623 Wyoming 299 268 326 287 326 272 384 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 9 
Table 1. Continued 

Sentenced prisoners in State and Federal institutions on December 31, 1925-86 

1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 

U.s. total 208,105 212,953 220,149 218,830 217,283 214,336 210,895 

Federal 22,492 23,218 23,696 23,944 23,128 21,709 21,040 

State 185,613 189,735 196,453 194,886 194,155 192,627 189,855 

Northeast 

Connecticut 1,500 1,497 1,639 1,653 1,652 1,716 1,642 

Maine 696 750 766 728 723 719 695 

Massachusetts 1,913 1,920 1,978 1,947 2,046 1,980 1,929 

New Hampshire 147 180 191 164 210 198 205 

New Jersey 4,101 4,284 4,572 4,573 4,594 4,614 4,839 

New York 16,904 17,207 17,569 17 :637 17,906 17,658 17,504 

Pennsylvania 7,924 7,802 8,047 8,160 7,804 7,667 7,1113 

Rhode Island 274 255 262 249 266 278 310 

Vermont 315 269 319 316 289 290 263 

Midwest 

Illinois 8,660 9,064 9,611 8,928 8,855 8,754 8,306 

Indiana 5,268 5,429 5,372 5,085 4,836 4,797 4,486 

Iowa 2,212 2,204 2,418 2,406 2,291 2,256 2,178 

Kansas 2,248 2,313 2,627 2,875 2,893 2,825 2,791 

Michigan 9,622 9,550 9,197 8,338 8,264 8,028 7,3t!2 

Minnesota 2,137 2,05'9 2,016 1,883 1,720 1,863 1,772 

Missouri 3,614 3,698 3,930 4,056 3,816 3,529 3,517 

Nebraska 1,237 1,269 1,328 1,316 1,411 1,323 1,151 

North Dakota 270 248 228 235 235 240 208 

Ohio 11,448 11,111 11,155 11,513 11,644 11,861 11,374 

South Dakota 561 526 571 544 556 525 571 

Wisconsin 2,640 2,784 2,953 2,887 2,811 2,844 2,830 

South 

Alabama 5,449 5,369 5,540 5,521 5,083 4,586 4,377 

Arkansas 1,911 2,016 2,076 2,066 2,000 1,992 1,970 

Delaware 232 226 240 206 208 281 315 

Dist. of Columbia 1,990 1,958 2,059 1,890 1,841 1,653 1,604 

Florida 6,802 7,084 7,615 7,599 6,751 6,725 6,995 

Georgia 6,963 6,985 6,851 7,051 7,350 7,309 5,966 

Kentucky 3,430 3,603 3,703 3,381 3,025 3,030 2,813 

Louisiana 3,561 3,749 3,828 4,058 3,961 3,564 3,844 

Maryland 5,010 5,316 5,745 5,615 5,164 5,453 5,467 

Mississippi 2,057 1,975 2,068 2,179 2,121 2,056 2,019 

North Carolina 5,949 5,977 5,875 5,409 4,950 4,888 6,029 

Oklahoma 2,706 2,679 2,693 2,671 2,776 2,808 2,829 

South Carolina 2,131 2,080 2,144 2,281 2,34'1 2,306 2,323 

Tennessee 2,914 3,134 3,144 3,167 3,246 3,187 3,213 

Texas 11,123 11,308 11,890 12,203 12,084 12,278 12,854 

Virginia 5,909 5,775 5,734 5,308 5,103 4,873 4,553 

West Virginia 2,492 2,407 2,207 2,031 1,912 1,722 1,477 

West 

Alaska 

Arizona 1,493 1,516 1,592 1,679 1,728 1,627 1,694 

California 19,299 21,660 23,927 24,032 26,133 26,483 26,325 

Colorado 2,012 2,078 2,149 2,356 2,594 2,666 2,766 

Hawaii 509 558 583 536 490 504 463 

Idaho 509 549 552 516 512 476 481 

Montana 588 602 648 6'14 715 742 586 

Nevada 399 413 431 453 442 450 622 

New Mexico 1,136 1,243 1,243 1,274 1,178 987 1,002 

Oregon 1,552 1,710 1,799 1,915 2,061 2,056 2,000 

Utah 533 553 638 653 692 661 701 

Washington ~,B76 2,455 2,401 2,341 2,539 2,960 3,202 

Wyoming 387 338 329 328 327 339 336 

10 Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions 
1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 

U.s. total 199,654 194,896 187,274 197,136 196,441 198,061 196,092 

Federal 19,245 19,579 19,703 19,623 20,038 20,948 21,713 

State 180,409 175,317 167,571 177,513 176,403 177,113 174,379 

Northeast 

Connecticut 1,599 1,587 1,444 1,630 1,568 1,938 1,818 

Maine 605 592 598 561 516 454 473 

Massachusetts 1,829 1,824 1,912 1,966 2,053 2,203 1,856 

New Hampshire 205 222 224 215 244 213 240 

New Jersey 4,912 4,614 5,065 5,382 5,704 5,272 5,279 

New York 15,760 14,085 12,781 12,452 12,059 11,928 11,693 

Pennsylvania 6,519 5,674 5,519 5,780 6,289 5,315 6,245 

Rhode Island 329 350 378 340 

Vermont 233 220 226 170 162 212 139 

Midwest 

Illinois 7,491 7,041 6,886 7,131 6,381 5,854 5,630 

Indiana 3,907 3,884 4,057 4,243 4,137 4,358 3,847 

Iowa 1,885 1,830 1,747 1,732 1,747 1,540 1,306 

Kansas 2,444 2,289 2,185 1,980 1,902 2,017 1,642 

Michigan 6,754 7,037 7,743 8,049 9,079 9,547 8,471 

Minnesota 1,6?O 1,652 1,632 1,605 1,585 1,553 1,337 

Missouri 3,4';'1 3,263 3,245 3,242 -3,413 3,614 3,533 

Nebraska 1,027 971 950 937 1,001 1,040 953 

North Dakota 199 182 156 161 147 132 179 

Ohio 10,694 10,323 10,189 9,567 9,185 9,063 8,276 

South Dakota 555 489 446 380 391 388 344 

Wisconsin 2,709 2,607 2,172 2,768 2,973 2,493 2,036 

South 

Alabama 4,056 3,881 4,017 4,140 3, '19O 3,823 3,632 

Arkansas 1,864 1,651 1,658 1,619 

Delaware 270 308 555 596 186 279 

Dist. of Columbia 1,542 1,268 1,466 1,504 1,423 2,600 2,500 

Florida 6,972 7,261 7,946 8,512 9,187 9,653 10,382 

Georgia 5,385 5,300 5,175 5,084 5,113 6,777 8,225 

Kentucky 2,932 2,834 2,864 3,314 2,849 3,060 2,941 

Louisiana 4,068 4,112 4,237 4,170 4,196 4,159 3,421 

Maryland 5,117 5,083 5,096 5,356 5,186 4,950 5,578 

Mississippi 1,829 1,667 1,544 1,700 1,730 1,841 1,879 

North Carolina 5,297 5,516 5,856 5,969 7,795 8,263 

Oklahoma 2,776 2, 'l56 2,893 3,230 3,640 3,729 3,667 

South Carolina 2,248 2,337 2,331 2,506 2,726 3,066 3,197 

Tennessee 2,968 2,980 2,999 3,148 3,268 3,454 3,329 

Texas 12,392 12,313 12,215 14,014 14,331 15,989 15,709 

Virginia 4,220 4,033 4,126 4,407 4,648 4,981 4,946 

West Virginia 1,189 1,208 1,124 1,001 938 1,063 1,058 

West 

Alaska 191 183 

Arizona 1,627 1,596 1,692 1,714 1,461 1,401 1,529 

California 27,467 27,741 28,435 27,535 25,033 17,474 16,970 

Colorado 2,540 2,514 2,338 2,107 2,066 1,957 1,925 

Hawaii 423 364 296 256 228 254 300 

Idaho 477 391 328 348 411 362 377 

Montana 548 521 466 372 260 250 283 

Nevada 651 608 645 665 690 635 646 

New Mexico 912 892 850 857 742 642 597 

Oregon 1,380 1,803 1,815 1,712 1,800 2,016 1,856 

Utah 659 651 640 488 491 590 581 

Washington 3,098 2,738 2,599 2,765 2,864 2,782 2,608 

Wyoming 279 254 257 246 231 263 262 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 11 
Table 1. Continued 

Sentenced prison'~rs in State and Federal institutions on December 31, 1925-86 

1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 

U.s. total 204,211 218,466 240,593 262,833 276,157 284,149 291,610 

Federal 22,815 22,361 24,131 26,980 28,650 23,973 20,315 

State 181,396 196,105 216,462 235,853 247,507 260,176 271,295 

Northeast 

Connecticut 1,663 1,464 1,849 1,923 1,647 1,804 2,062 

Maine 453 527 643 610 655 559 561 

Massachusetts 1,981 2,226 2,242 2,651 2,789 2,693 2,707 

New Hampshire 277 219 250 248 219 244 285 

New Jersey 5,357 5,219 5,682 5,618 5,386 5,422 5,539 

New York 12,945 14,329 16,071 17,705 19,367 20,190 20,895 

Pennsylvania 6,515 6,732 5,982 6,656 6,873 7,320 7,325 

Rhode Island 404 435 408 490 524 508 541 

Vermont 188 242 244 279 279 322 285 

Midwest 

Illinois 5,600 6,667 7,861 9,739 10,871 10,159 10,743 

Indiana 3,357 3,051 3,897 4,203 4,250 4,394 5,270 

Iowa 1,402 1,476 1,786 1,891 2,030 1,937 2,069 

Kansas 1,354 1,421 1,685 2,078 2,246 2,284 2,171 

Michigan 7,874 8,630 10,852 12,465 13,824 14,944 15,002 

Minnesota 1,402 1,372 1,685 1,624 1,755 1,837 1,984 

Missouri 3,767 3,764 4,371 4,997 5,302 5,637 5,279 

Nebraska 1,006 1,040 1,251 1,304 1,284 1,218 1,126 

North Dakota 155 129 173 162 194 198 199 

Ohio 7,717 9,326 11,421 12,525 12,846 13,107 13,360 

South Dakota 236 250 338 478 519 520 550 

Wisconsin 2,147 2,587 2,992 3,299 3,347 3,432 3,677 

South 

Alabama 3,693 ·.,~59 4,420 3,032 2,919 4,242 4,028 

Arkansas 1,679 1,938 2,162 2,431 2,386 2,510 2,783 

Delaware 325 436 582 684 695 823 1,012 

Dist. of Columbia 2,331 2,072 2,302 2,283 2,237 2,530 2,599 

Florida 10,376 11,217 15,315 17,793 18,917 20,188 18,907 

Georgia 8,310 9,289 10,421 11,025 11,243 10,833 11,666 

Kentucky 2,954 3,051 3,246 3,657 3,661 3,390 3,691 

Louisiana 4,033 4,779 4,758 4,696 5,951 6,101 6,746 

Maryland 5,799 6,247 6,965 7,912 7,137 7,572 7,468 

Mississippi 1,738 2,127 2,422 1,936 1,585 1,779 2,077 

North Carolina 9,641 10,932 10,993 11,570 12,769 12,268 13,461 

Oklahoma 3,187 2,896 3,133 3,736 3,609 4,186 4,250 

South Carolina 3,489 4,318 5,600 6,433 6,041 6,922 7,016 

Tennessee 3,454 3,771 4,561 4,817 5,480 5,835 6,629 

Texas 17,238 16,833 18,937 20,717 22,517 24,575 26,522 

Virginia 5,100 5,032 5,497 6,030 7,143 7,589 7,920 

West Virginia 1,086 989 1,271 1,278 1,250 1,237 1,251 

West 

Alaska 174 175 207 255 293 333 364 

Arizona 1,691 2,101 2,647 2,850 2,982 3,206 3,315 

California 19,794 21,897 17,296 18,113 17,338 19,550 21,260 

Colorado 1,894 1,968 2,039 2,239 2,311 2,452 2,521 

Hawaii 295 309 336 327 374 420 476 

Idaho 426 525 580 682 752 795 810 

Montana 316 336 429 551 617 633 677 

Nevada 748 801 848 961 1,184 1,353 1,656 

New Mexico 726 902 999 1,220 1,489 1,459 1,441 

Oregon 1,670 1,993 2,480 2,821 2,924 2,838 3,244 

Utah 519 548 657 748 824 872 935 

Washington 2,632 2,989 3,369 3,771 4,272 4,524 4,463 

Wyoming 278 269 307 340 400 432 477 

12 Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions 
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 

U.s. t(.ltal 304,692 344,283 385,343 405,501 429,050 465,236 503,'194 

Federal 19,025 21,311 21,630 23~836 24,805 29,215 33,135 

State 285,66'1 322,972 363,713 381,665 404,245 436,021 470,659 

Northeast 

Connecticut 2,469 2,770 3,004 3,508 3,665 3,955 3,990 

Maine 541 667 729 790 802 1,028 1,136 

Massachusetts 3,032 3,791 4,238 4,372 4,738 5,160 5,396 

New Hampshire 299 351 431 434 521 630 723 

New Jersey 5,561 6,846 '1,970 9,092 10,345 11,328 12,017 

New York 21,639 25,494 28,501 30,924 33,782 35,346 38,64'1 

Pennsylvania 8,130 9,292 10,466 11,691 13,004 14,132 15,1'14 

Rhode Island 601 688 785 867 888 965 1,015 

Vermont 326 361 390 390 361 417 430 

Midwest 

Illinois 10,451 13,669 13,551 15,364 16,912 18,279 19,456 

Indiana 6,281 7,559 8,295 8,973 9,063 9,767 9,963 

Iowa 2,435 2,670 2,829 2,814 2,836 2,687 2,777 

Kansas 2,431 2,800 3,015 3,620 4,130 4,565 5,257 

Michigan 15,124 15,157 14,913 14,510 14,604 17,755 20,742 

Minnesota 1,884 1,909 2,197 2,235 2,331 2,495 2,515 

Missouri 5,726 6,489 7,422 8,026 8,685 9,780 10,309 

Nebraska 1,389 1,480 1,560 1,554 1,582 1,753 1,919 

North Dakota 264 238 305 362 389 395 381 

Ohio 13,138 14,796 17,147 16,416 16,993 18,776 19,930 

South Dakota 625 665 758 812 893 1,000 1,111 

Wisconsin 3, '188 4,249 4,441 4,226 4,845 5,220 5,535 

South 

Alabama 4,489 5,827 7,565 8,68'{ 9,824 10,449 11,129 

Arkansas 2,805 3,214 3,747 4,128 4,346 4,504 4,578 

Delaware 967 984 1,260 1,392 1,340 1,541 1,808 

nist. of Columbia 2,719 2,932 3,351 3,465 3,718 4,604 4,787 

Florida 19,945 22,898 26,892 25,293 26,751 28,054 31,632 

Georgia 11,922 12,377 14,038 14,935 14,596 15,363 16,291 

Kentucky 3,588 3,993 3,915 4,641 4,710 4,956 5,282 

Louisiana 7,622 8,577 9,436 10,516 10,685 10,977 11,131 

Maryland 7,454 8,841 10,968 11,854 12,316 12,183 12,444 

Mississippi 2,690 3,412 4,412 4,542 4,766 5,364 5,474 

North Carolina 14,456 14,754 15,349 14,257 15,219 16,007 16,373 

Oklahoma ~,544 4,950 6,054 7,025 6,960 7,108 7,604 

South Carolina 6,683 7,185 8,048 8,225 8,316 9,202 9,781 

Tennessee 6,844 7,678 7,683 7,8'16 '[ ,22'1 6,943 7,182 

Texas 29,892 31,502 36,149 35,259 36,682 37,532 38,534 

Virginia 8,231 8,460 9,203 9,197 9,784 10,778 11,166 

West Virginia 1,257 1,565 1,547 1,609 1,579 1,725 1,482 

West 

Alaska 381 510 608 S08 1,052 1,250 1,293 

Arizona 3,597 4,780 5,809 6, '143 7,646 8,273 9,038 

California 23,264 27,913 33,583 38,025 41,652 48,326 57,725 

Colorado 2,596 2,743 3,037 3,242 3,230 3,3~6 3,808 

Hawaii 544 680 804 977 1,244 1,317 1,422 

Idaho 672 903 990 1,123 1,185 1,317 1,418 

Montana 691 734 810 781 826 1,096 1,087 

Nevada 1,815 2,075 2,546 3,068 3,430 3,774 4,425 

New Mexico 925 1,305 1,433 1,629 1,814 2,028 2,198 Oregon 3,195 3,284 3,867 3,318 3,439 3,714 4,001 Utah 916 1,051 1,117 1,191 1,491 1,623 1,814 Washington 4,339 5,294 5,861 6,198 6,342 6,468 6,509 Wyoming 490 610 684 681 706 726 820 

••• Data not available. 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 13 
Table 2. Average annual change 

in prison population, 1925-86 

and 1980-86 

Average annual 

percent change 

in Qrlson (;!o(;!u1atlon 

State 1925-86 1980-86 

U.s. tots.! 2.896 8.896 

Federal 3.2 9.8 

State 2.8 8.7 

Northeast 2.7% 10.896 

Connecticut 2.7 8.4 

Maine 2.0 13.5 

Massachusetts 2.1 10.3 

New Hampshire 3.3 16.1 

New Jersey 3.0 13.8 

New York 3.1 10.2 

Pennsylvania 2.4 11.0 

Rhode island 2.5 9.2 

Vermont 1.3 5.0 

Midwest 2.196 7.996 

Illinois 2.5 11.3 

Indiana 2.1 8.2 

Iowa .8 2.3 

Kansas 1.8 13.8 

Michigan 2.8 5.8 

Minnesota .7 5:0 

Missouri 2.2 10.3 

Nebraska 1.6 5.6 

North Dakota 1.1 7.1 

Ohio 2.4 7.4 

South Dakota 2.3 10.1 

Wisconsin 2.8 6.7 

South 3.496 6.4% 

Alabama 1.B 16.7 

Arkansas 2.9 8.6 

Delaware 6.0 11.5 

Dlst. of Columbia 4.1 10.1 

Florida 6.0 B.3 

Georgia 2.8 5.4 

Kentucky 2.0 6.9 

Louisiana 3.6 6.6 

Maryland 3.4 9.3 

Mississippi 2.1 13.1 

North Carolina 4.4 2.2 

Oklahoma 2.2 9.2 

South Carolina 4.8 6.6 

Tennessee 2.4 1.0 

Texas 4.5 4.4 

Virginia 3.1 5.3 

West Virginia .1 3.4 

West 3.996 14.1% 

Alaska 14.3 23.1 

Arizona 5.4 16.9 

California 4.5 16.4 

Colorado 2.1 6.7 

Hawaii 4.6 17.7 

Idaho 3.6 13.6 

Montana 2.3 8.4 

Nevada 5.9 IS.1 

New Mexico 3.8 16.0 

Oregon 3.9 4.3 

Utah 4.3 12.2 

Washington 2.7 7.2 

Wyoming 2.4 9.3 

14 Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions 
Table 3. Total number of sentenced prisoners In State and Federal institutions and 

percentage of prisoners In Federallnstitutions, 1925-86 

Number of Qrlsoners Percent of 

In State U.S. total 

U.S. Instl- In Federal In Federal 

Year total tutlons Instltu tlons institutions 

1925 91,669 85,239 6,430 7.096 

1926 97,991 91,188 6,803 6.9 

1927 109,346 101,624 7,722 7.1 

1928 116,390 108,157 8,233 7.1 

1929 120,496 107,532 12,964 10.8 

1930 129,453 117,268 12,185 9.496 

1931 137,082 124,118 12,964 9.5 

1932 137,997 125,721 12,276 8.9 

1933 136,810 125,962 10,848 7.9 

1934 138,316 126,258 12,058 8.7 

1935 144,180 129,418 14,762 10.296 

1936 145,038 129,664 15,374 10.6 

1937 152,741 137,432 15,309 10.0 

1938 160,285 143,152 17,133 10.7 

1939 179,818 160,088 19,730 11.0 

1940 173,706 154,446 19,260 11.196 

1941 165,439 146,974 18,465 11.2 

1942 150,384 133,761 16,623 11.1 

1943 137,220 121,107 16,113 11.7 

1944 132,456 114,317 18,139 13.7 

1945 133,649 115,011 18,638 13.996 

1946 140,079 122,457 17,622 12.6 

194'1 151,304 134,158 17,146 11.3 

1948 155,977 139,649 16,328 10.5 

1949 163,749 146,881 16,868 10.3 

1950 166,165 149,031 17,134 10.396 

1951 165,680 148,285 1'1,395 10.5 

1952 168,233 150,219 18,014 10.'1 

1953 173,579 154,216 19,363 11.2 

1954 182,901 162,898 20,003 10.9 

1955 185,780 165,692 20,088 10.896 

1956 189,565 169,431 20,134 ID.6 

1957 195,256 1'14,836 20,420 10.5 

1958 205,643 184,094 21,549 10.5 

1959 208,105 185,613 22,492 10.8 

1960 212,953 189,735 23,218 10.996 

1961 220,149 196,453 23,696 10.8 

1962 218,830 194,886 23,944 10.9 

1963 217,283 194,155 23,128 10.6 

1964 214,336 192,627 21,709 10.1 

1965 210,895 1811,855 21,040 10.096 

1966 199,654 130,409 19,245 9.6 

1967 194,896 175,317 19,579 10.0 

1968 187,274 16'1,571 19,703 10.5 

1969 197,136 177,513 19,623 10.0 

1910 196,441 176,403 20,038 10.296 

1971 198,061 177,113 20,948 10.6 

1972 196,092 174,3'19 21,713 11.1 

1973 204,211 181,396 22,815 11.2 

1974 218,466 196,105 22,361 10.2 

1975 240,593 216,462 24,131 10.096 

19'16 262,833 235,853 26,980 10.3 

1977 276,157 247,507 28,650 10.4 

19'18 284,149 260,1'16 23,9'13 8.4 

19'19 291,610 271,295 20,315 '1.0 

1980 304,692 285,66'1 19,025 6.296 

1981 344,283 322,972 21,311 6.2 

1982 385,343 363,713 21,630 5.6 

1983 405,501 381,665 23,836 5.9 

1984 429,050 404,245 24,805 5.8 

1985 465,236 436,021 29,215 6.3 

1986 503,794 470,659 33,135 6.6 

Historical Statistics, 1925-86 15 
--- --

Sources 

1925 Pr~ In state and FedeN! Prlaons 1959 PtlIIoners in state and Federal Instltu- 1977 PrI500ers in state and Federal Instltuand RefOl'llllltories 1927, Bureau of tlOII8l!1l10, National Prisoner Statls- tIons on December 31, 1970, National 

the Census, U.S. Department of Com- tics Report Number 27, Bureau of Prisoner statistics Bulletin NCJmerce, 1931, p. 4, table 2 Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, 64671, Bureau ot Justice Statistics, 

1926-29 PriaoDers in state and Federal PrfzIons 1961, tables 2 and 3 U.S. Department of Justice, 1980, p. 

aDd Beformatories 19Z9 and 1930, Bu- 1960-61 PrIaoners in State and Federal IMtltu- 42, Special table 

reau of the Census, U.S. Department tlODS 1964, Na tlonal Prisoner Sta tls- 1978 Prisoners in state and FederallDstituof Commerce, 1932, p. 3, table 2 tics Report Number 38, Bureau ot tiOD!! on December 31, 1979, National 

1930-31 PriaonerIIin State and Federal PriIIoM Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, Prisoner StatlBtlcs Bulletin NCJand Reformatories 1931 and 1932, Bu- 1965, tables 1 and 6 73719, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 

resu of the Census, U.S. Department 1962 PrIlIooers in State and Federal Institu- U.S. Department of Justice, :981, p. 

of Commerce, 1934, p. 48, table 48 tIOIIS 19113, National Prisoner Statls- 31, Special table 

1932 l'riaoIlen in State and Federal PriIIoruI tics Report Number 36, Bureau of 1979 PrIaoners in State and Federallnstituand Reformatories 1933, Bureau of Prisons, U,S. Department of JUstice, tJou on December 31,1980, National 

the Census, U.S. Department of Com- 1964, tables 1 and 4 Prisoner Statistics Bulletin NCJmerce, 1935, p. 3, table 2 1963 PrJaoners in State and Federal Instltu- 80520, Bureau of JUstice Statistics, 

1933 PrI80nen m State and Federal PriIIoruI tIons 19114, National Prisoner Statls- U.S. Department of Justice, 1982, p. 

and Reformatories 1934, Bureau of tics Report Number 38, Bureau of 35, Special table 

the Census, U.S. Department of Com- Prisons, U.S. De~rtment of Justice, 1980 PrisIooeI'II in state and Federal lnstftumerce, 1936, p. 3, table 2 1965, tables 1 and 6 tionB on December 31, 1911:1., National 

1934 Pri800ers in State and Federal PrIsons 1964 Priaoners in state and Federal Institu- Prisoner Statistics Bulletin NCJand Beformatorld 1935, Bureau of tioDs 1965, National Prisoner Statls- 86485, Bureau·of Justice statistics, 

the Census, U.S. Department of Com- tics Report Number 40, Buresu of U.S. Department of Justice, 1983, p. 

merce, 1937, p. 3, table 2 Prisons, U.S. Department of JUstice, 35, Special table 

1935 PrIaoDers in State and Federal Prf80ns 1966, tables 1 and 6 1981 PrJaooers in State and Feder'allDstltuand Reformatories 1936, Bureau of 1965-66 PriMlners in State and Fedaral InstItu- tions on December 31, 1982, National 

the Census, U.S. Department of COJII- tIons for Adult FelODa 19114, National Prisoner Statistics Bulletin NCJmerce, 1938, p. 4, table 2 Prisoner Statistics Report Number 43, 93311, Bureau of Justice Stctlstlcs, 

1936 PriIIooers in State and Federal Pri!Joos Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department U.S. Department of Justice, 1984, p. 

and Reformatories 193'1, Bureau ot of Justice. 1988, tables 1 and 6 37, Special table 

the Census, U.S. Department ot Com- 1967 Prfaoners in State and Federal IostItu- 1982 Priaooers in state and Fedefallnstitumerce, 1939, p. 4, table 2 tIons for Adult FeloD!l196'1. National tIODs on December 31,1983, National 

1937 PriIIoaers in State and Federal PrI800s Prisoner Stlltlstics Report Number 44, Prisoner Statistics Report NCJaDd Beformatorles 1938, Bureau of Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department 99861, Bureau ot Justice Statistic!'!, 

the Census, U.S. Department of Com- of Justice, 1969, tables 1 and 6 U.S. Department of Jus~ibe, 1986, p. 

merce, 1941, p. -i, table 2 1968-70 Pris.HIers in state and FederallMtltu- 33, Special table 

1938 ~ers m State and Federal Prl80ruJ tlOII8 for Adult FeJoM 19118, 1969, 1983 Priaoaers in St.llte aDd Feden!! InstItuand RefOl'lD!ltorles 1939, Bureau of 1970, National Prisoner Statistics tiODs on December 31,1984, National 

the Census, U.S. Department of Report Number 47, Bureau ot Prisons, Prisoner Statistics Report NCJ- . 

Commerce, 1941, p. 4, table 2 U.S. Department of Justice, 1972, 103768, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 

1939-43 Prlaaaers in State and Federalll1!Jtl- tables 4 and 6 U.S. Department of Ju:rtlce, 1987, p. 

tntiODs 1957, National Prisoner Sta- 1971 I'lVooers in State and Federal InstItu- 33, table 18 

tlstlcs RepQrt Number 19, Bureau of tiona OIl December 31, 1971, 1912, 1984 Correctional Populations In the 

Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, 1913, National Prisoner Statistics United States 1985, National Prisoner 

1958, table 4 Bulletin SD-NPS-PSF-l, Law Enfcrce- Statistics Report NCJ-I03957, Bureau 

1944 Prf80aers in Stale and Federal InstItn- ment Assistance Administration, U.S. of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department 

tIoIIIJI195t, National Prisoner Statls- Thlpartment of Justice, 1975, p. 12, ot Justice, 1987, table 5.18 

tlcl! neport Number 24, BlJreau of table 1 1985 Correctional PopuJatiou In the 

Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice, 1972-73 Prf800ers in State and Federal InstItu- United States 19811, National Prisoner 

1960, table 4 tIons on December 31,19'14, National Statistics Report. Bureau of Justice 

1945-54 l'riIoners in State and Federal InstItu- Prisoner Statistics Bulletin SD-NPS- Statistics, U.S. Department ot Justice 

tIODs 195'1, National Prisoner Statls- PSF-2, Law Enforcement Asslstanlle (torthcoming) 

tics Report Number 19, Bureau of Administration, U.S. Department of 1986 CorNcUonal PopalaticMIs In the 

Prisons, U.S. Department ot Justice, Justice, 1976, p. 14, table 1 United States 198'1, National Prlson/;'.-

1958, table 4 1974 Pritoners in state and FederallD!lt!tu- Statisti<(!!1 Report, Bureau ot Justice 

1955 PrIaooera in State and Federal !D!Itf- tiooa on December 31, 19'15, Nat!ol'al Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice 

tntlou tor Adult FeJooa 19118, 1989, Prisoner Statistics Bulletin SD-NPS- (forthcoming) 

1t'lI, National PrIsoDllr Statistics PSF-3, Law Enforcement Assistance 

Report NUmber 47, Buresu of Prisons, Administration, U.S. Department of 

U.S. Department of Justice, 1972, Justice, 1977, p. 22, table 4 

taMes 4 and 6 1975 PriIIoners in State and FederallDstltu1956 PrieoDers in state and F~raJ. InstItu- tiooa on December 31,19'111, National 

tIons 195'1, National Prisoner Statls- Prisoner. Statistics Bulletin SD-NPStics Report Number 19, Bureau of PSF-4, Law Enforcement Assistance 

PrI30ns, U.S. Department ot Justice, Administration, U.S. Department of 

1958, table 4 Justice, 1978, p. 22, table 4 

1957 PrIIoGers in State and Federal Instl~- 1976 Pr1aooers in State and FederallDstltutIcaa 1983, National Prisoner Statls- tiooa on December 31.197'1, National 

tics Report Number 36, Bureau of Prisoner Statistics Bulletin SD-NPSPrisons, U.S. Departm~nt of Justice, PSF-5, Law Enforcement Assistance 

1964, tables 1 and 4 Administration, U.S. Department ot 

1958 Prisofter!I in State IlIIIli FedemJ. Jmrtitu- Justice, 19'19, p. 16, table 7 

tiona 1959, National Prisoner Statistics Report Number 24, Bureau of 

PrlsoJU:. U.S. Department of Justice, 

1960, table 4 

«U.S. G.P.O. 1988-202-032:80004 

16 Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions