U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Revised August 12, 2014
May 2014, NCJ 245350

Todd D. Minton and Daniela Golinelli, Ph.D., BJS Statisticians

A

fter a peak in the number of inmates confined
in county and city jails at midyear 2008
(785,533), the jail population was significantly
lower by midyear 2013 (731,208) (figure 1, table 1).
However, the estimated decline between midyear 2012
and 2013 was not statistically significant. California’s
jails experienced an increase of about 12,000 inmates
since midyear 2011. (For more information on
California, see the text box on page 2.)
The jail incarceration rate—the confined population
per 100,000 U.S. residents—declined slightly between
midyear 2012 (237 per 100,000) and 2013 (231 per
100,000). This decline continues a downward trend
from a high of 259 jail inmates per 100,000 residents
in 2007.
Males represented at least 86% of the jail population
since 2000. The female inmate population increased
10.9% (up 10,000 inmates) between midyear 2010 and
2013, while the male population declined 4.2% (down
27,500 inmates) (table 2, table 3). The female jail
population grew by an average of about 1% each year
between 2005 and 2013. In comparison, the male jail
population declined an annual average of less than 1%
every year since 2005 (not shown).
White inmates accounted for 47% of the total jail
population, blacks represented 36%, and Hispanics
represented 15% at midyear 2013. About 4,600
juveniles were held in local jails (less than 1% of the
confined population), down from 5,400 during the
same period in 2012.

FIGURE 1
Inmates confined in local jails at midyear and percent
change in the jail population, 2000–2013
Number of inmates at midyear
900,000
Percent change
800,000

Annual percent change
6
5

700,000

4

600,000

3

500,000

2

400,000

1

300,000

0

200,000

-1

100,000

-2

0

'00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13

-3

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear
2000–2004 and midyear 2006–2012, and the Census of Jail Inmates,
midyear 2005.

At midyear 2013, about 6 in 10 inmates were not
convicted, but were in jail awaiting court action on a
current charge—a rate unchanged since 2005. About
4 in 10 inmates were sentenced offenders or convicted
offenders awaiting sentencing. From the first
significant decline in the overall jail population since
midyear 2009, the unconvicted population (down
24,000 inmates) outpaced the decline in the convicted
inmate population (down 12,000 inmates).

Bureau of Justice Statistics · Statistical Tables

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 Statistical Tables

BJS

California Public Safety Realignment
On May 23, 2011, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ruling
by a lower three-judge court that the State of California
must reduce its prison population to 137.5% of design
capacity (approximately 110,000 prisoners) within 2 years
to alleviate overcrowding. In response, the California State
Legislature and governor enacted two laws—AB 109 and
AB 117—to reduce the number of inmates housed in state
prisons starting October 1, 2011.
The Public Safety Realignment (PSR) policy is designed
to reduce the prison population through normal attrition
of the existing population while placing new nonviolent,
nonserious, nonsex offenders under county jurisdiction for
incarceration in local jail facilities. Inmates released from
local jails will be placed under a county-directed postrelease community supervision program instead of the
state’s parole system. The state is giving additional funding
to the 58 counties in California to deal with the increased
correctional population and responsibility; however, each
county must develop a plan for custody and post-custody
that best serves its needs.

After record low jail populations between yearend 2010
and yearend 2011, the California jail population increased
by an estimated 7,600 inmates between yearend 2011 and
midyear 2012 and by an estimated 3,500 inmates between
midyear 2012 and midyear 2013 (figure 2).
At midyear 2013, characteristics of inmates held in
California jails differed from the national jail population
(when excluding California), including inmates’ race and
conviction status. In California jails, Hispanics accounted
for 45% of the total inmate population, whites represented
32%, and blacks represented 20% of inmates (not shown).
In comparison, Hispanics accounted for 11% of the
national inmate population (excluding California), whites
represented 49%, and blacks represented 38% of the jail
inmate population. There was also a slight difference in
the inmate conviction status. At midyear 2013, 43% of
inmates held in California jails were convicted, compared
to 37% confined in non-California jails. No differences were
found among male and female and adult and juvenile
inmate populations.

FIGURE 2
California’s confined jail population, 1999 and 2005–2013
Jail population
90,000
Midyear
Yearend
80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000

1999

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Note: The midyear population is the number of inmates held on the last weekday in June. The yearend count is the number of inmates held on December 31. See
Methodology for detail on estimating California’s midyear jail population. Data are rounded.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Census of Jails, 1999 and 2005; Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2006–2013; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, yearend
2005–2012.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

2

Revised August 12, 2014
The majority of the jail inmates were held in less than
10% of jails
The largest jails (those with an average daily population
(ADP) of 1,000 or more inmates) held 48% of the inmate
population at midyear 2013, but accounted for 6% of all
jail jurisdictions nationwide (table 4). In comparison,
the smallest jail jurisdictions held 3% of the inmate
population, but accounted for 38% of all jail jurisdictions.
Jail jurisdictions with an ADP of 50 to 99 inmates and
100 to 249 inmates accounted for equal shares (about 20%
each) of jail jurisdictions. Combined, these jail jurisdictions
accounted for 18% of all inmates. Jail jurisdictions with an
ADP of 250 to 999 inmates accounted for 17% of all jail
jurisdictions, but held 31% of all inmates at midyear 2013.
Similar patterns were observed in 2012 for all categories.

While the confined population and rated jail capacity both
increased at roughly comparable rates from 2000 through
2008, the growth rates have diverged since 2008. The
confined population declined by 1.4% on average per year,
while rated capacity increased by 1.0% on average per year.
The increase in capacity and decrease in confined population
almost equally contributed to the decline in the percentage
of capacity occupied, from 95% at midyear 2008 to 84% at
midyear 2013.
FIGURE 3
Midyear custody population, average daily population, and
rated capacity in local jails, 2000–2013
Inmate population/bed space
900000

Bed space between 2012 and 2013 declined for the
first time since 1982

800000

Rated capacity in
jails reached 872,943 beds at midyear 2013,
a decrease of 0.5% (down 4,453 beds) from 877,396 beds
at midyear 2012; however, the change was not statistically
significant (figure 3, table 5). The change between midyear
2012 and 2013 was the first decline in the rated capacity
since the Annual Survey Jails was first conducted in 1982.
Rated capacity is the maximum number of beds or inmates
allocated to each jail facility by a state or local rating official.

700000

The percentage of rated capacity at midyear 2013 (84%)
was the lowest since 1984 (86%). At midyear 2013, jail
jurisdictions holding 1,000 or more inmates reported the
highest percentage of occupied bed space (88%), compared
to jails holding fewer than 50 inmates (64%) (table 6).
In addition to measuring the rated capacity occupied based
on the inmate count at midyear, the measurement can be
based on the ADP in jail jurisdictions during the 12-month
period ending June 30, 2013, and by the number of inmates
on the most crowded day during June 2013. Using these two
measures, the nation’s jails operated at about 84% of rated
capacity on an average day and about 91% of rated capacity
on their most crowded day in June 2013.

Rated capacitya

ADPc
Inmates confined
at midyearb

600000
500000
400000
300000
200000
100000
0

'00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13

aMaximum number of beds or inmates assigned by a rating official to a

facility, excluding separate temporary holding areas. Based on revised data for
2010–2012.
bNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
cSum of all inmates in jail each day for a year, divided by the number of days in
the year. Based on revised data for 2012.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2000–2004
and midyear 2006–2013, and the 2005 Census of Jail Inmates.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

3

Revised August 12, 2014
Jail jurisdictions holding between 100 and 249 inmates
experienced the largest difference in change rates between
rated capacity and the jail inmate population (figure 4).
From midyear 2008 to 2013, these jail jurisdictions reported
a decrease of 1% in their inmate custody population and a
17% increase in their rated capacity. Jail jurisdiction holding
fewer than 50 inmates and jurisdictions holding 1,000 or
more inmates, reported the smallest difference between
change in their inmate population and change in their rated
capacity. All other jail jurisdiction categories experienced a
decline in their midyear jail population and an increase in
their rated capacity.
Local jails admitted 11.7 million persons during the
12-month period ending midyear 2013
Local jails admitted an estimated 11.7 million persons
during the 12-month period ending June 30, 2013,
remaining stable since 2011 (11.8 million) and down from
a peak of 13.6 million admissions in 2008. The number of
persons admitted in 2013 was 16 times the size of the ADP
(731,352) during the 12-month period ending June 30, 2013.
(See Methodology for methods used to estimate admissions.)
More than a third of admissions during the last week of
June 2013 were to the largest jail jurisdictions (table 7). In
comparison, jail jurisdictions holding fewer than 50 inmates
accounted for 7% of all jail admissions. For these jails, the
number of inmates admitted was 34 times the size of the
ADP between 2012 and 2013. These small jail jurisdictions
also experienced the highest turnover rate (121%). The
turnover rate was the smallest in large jail jurisdictions
(44%). Higher turnover rates mean larger numbers of
admissions and releases relative to the size of the ADP.

FIGURE 4
Percent change in the midyear custody population and rated
capacity between 2008 and 2013
Percent change
20
15
Rated capacitya
10
5
0

Number of inmatesb

-5
-10

Total

Fewer than
50 inmates

50
to 99

100
to 249

250
to 499

500
to 999

1,000
or more

Note: Jurisdiction size is based on the average daily population (ADP) during
the 12-month period ending June 30, 2006, the first year in the current Annual
Survey of Jails series. ADP is the sum of all inmates in jail each day for a year,
divided by the number of days in the year.
aMaximum number of beds or inmates assigned by a rating official to a facility,
excluding separate temporary holding areas.
bNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2008 and 2013.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

4

List of tables
Table 1. Inmates confined in local jails at midyear, average
daily population, and incarceration rates, 2000–2013

Appendix table 1. Standard errors for selected jail
populations, 2012–2013

Table 2. Number of inmates in local jails, by characteristics,
midyear 2000 and 2005–2013

Appendix table 2. Standard errors for table 2: Number of
inmates in local jails, by characteristics, midyear 2000 and
2005–2013

Table 3. Percent of inmates in local jails, by characteristics,
midyear 2000 and 2005–2013
Table 4. Inmates confined in local jails at midyear, by size of
jurisdiction, 2012–2013
Table 5. Rated capacity of local jails and percent of capacity
occupied, 2000–2013
Table 6. Percent of jail capacity occupied at midyear, by size
of jurisdiction, 2012–2013
Table 7. Average daily jail population, admissions, and
turnover rate, by size of jurisdiction, week ending June 30,
2012 and 2013
Table 8. Inmate population in jail jurisdictions reporting
on confined persons being held for U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE), midyear 2002–2013
Table 9. Persons under jail supervision, by confinement
status and type of program, midyear 2000 and 2006–2013

Appendix table 3. Standard error ratio estimates for
table 3: Percent of inmates in local jails, by characteristics,
midyear 2000 and 2005–2013
Appendix table 4. Standard errors for table 4: Inmates
confined in local jails at midyear, by size of jurisdiction,
2012–2013
Appendix table 5. Standard errors for table 6: Percent
of jail capacity occupied at midyear, by size of jurisdiction,
2012–2013
Appendix table 6. Standard errors for table 7: Average
daily jail population, admissions, and turnover rate, by size
of jurisdiction, week ending June 30, 2012 and 2013
Appendix table 7. Standard errors for table 9: Persons
under jail supervision, by confinement status and type of
program, midyear 2000 and 2006–2013

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

5

Table 1
Inmates confined in local jails at midyear, average daily population, and incarceration rates, 2000–2013
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Average annual change
2000–2012
2012–2013

Inmates confined at midyeara
Year-to-year change
Total
Number
Percent
621,149
15,206
2.5%
631,240
10,091
1.6
665,475
34,235
5.4
691,301
25,826
3.9
713,990
22,689
3.3
747,529
33,539
4.7
765,819
18,290
2.4
780,174
14,355
1.9
785,533
5,359
0.7
767,434
-18,099
-2.3
748,728
-18,706
-2.4
735,601
-13,127
-1.8
744,524
8,923
1.2
731,208
-13,316
-1.8

Average daily populationb
Year-to-year change
Total
Number
Percent
618,319
10,341
1.7%
625,966
7,647
1.2
652,082
26,116
4.2
680,760
28,678
4.4
706,242
25,482
3.7
733,442
27,200
3.9
755,320
21,878
3.0
773,138
17,818
2.4
776,573
3,435
0.4
768,135
-8,438
-1.1
748,553
-19,582
-2.5
735,565
-12,988
-1.7
737,369
1,804
0.2
731,352
-6,017
-0.8

1.5%
-1.8

1.5%
-0.8

Jail incarceration ratec
220
222
231
238
243
252
256
259
258
250
242
236
237
231

aNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
bSum of all inmates in jail each day for a year, divided by the number of days in the year. Based on revised data for 2012.
cNumber of inmates confined at midyear per 100,000 U.S. residents.

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2000–2004 and midyear 2006–2013, and the 2005 Census of Jail Inmates.

Table 2
Number of inmates in local jails, by characteristics, midyear 2000 and 2005–2013
Characteristic
Totalb
Sex
Male
Female
Adult
Male
Female
Juvenilec
Held as adultd
Held as juvenile
Race/Hispanic origine
Whitef
Black/African Americanf
Hispanic/Latino
American Indian/Alaska Nativef,g
Asian/Native Hawaiian/
Other Pacific Islanderf,g
Two or more racesf

2000
621,149

2005
747,529

2006
765,819

2007
780,174

2008
785,533

2009
767,434

2010
748,728

2011a
735,601

2012a
744,524

2013a
731,208

550,162
70,987
613,534
543,120
70,414
7,615
6,126
1,489

652,958
94,571
740,770
646,807
93,963
6,759
5,750
1,009

666,819
99,000
759,717
661,164
98,552
6,102
4,835
1,268

679,654
100,520
773,341
673,346
99,995
6,833
5,649
1,184

685,862
99,670
777,829
678,657
99,172
7,703
6,410
1,294

673,728
93,706
760,216
667,039
93,176
7,218
5,846
1,373

656,360
92,368
741,168
649,284
91,884
7,560
5,647
1,912

642,300
93,300
729,700
636,900
92,800
5,900
4,600
1,400

645,900
98,600
739,100
640,900
98,100
5,400
4,600
900

628,900
102,400
726,600
624,700
101,900
4,600
3,500
1,100

260,500
256,300
94,100
5,500

331,000
290,500
111,900
7,600

336,500
295,900
119,200
8,400

338,200
301,700
125,500
8,600

333,300
308,000
128,500
9,000

326,400
300,500
124,000
9,400

331,600
283,200
118,100
9,900

329,400
276,400
113,900
9,400

341,100
274,600
112,700
9,300

344,900
261,500
107,900
10,200

4,700
...

5,400
1,000

5,100
700

5,300
800

5,500
1,300

5,400
1,800

5,100
800

5,300
1,200

5,400
1,500

5,100
1,600

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding.
…Not collected.
aData for 2011-2013 are adjusted for nonresponse and rounded to the nearest 100.
bMidyear count is the number of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
cPersons age 17 or younger at midyear.
dIncludes juveniles who were tried or awaiting trial as adults.
eData adjusted for nonresponse and rounded to the nearest 100. See Methodology.
fExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.
gPrevious reports combined American Indians and Alaska Natives and Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders into an Other race category.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000 and midyear 2006–2013, and the 2005 Census of Jail Inmates.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

6

Table 3
Percent of inmates in local jails, by characteristics, midyear 2000 and 2005–2013
Characteristic
Sex
Male
Female
Adult
Male
Female
Juvenilea
Held as adultb
Held as juvenile
Race/Hispanic originc
Whited
Black/African Americand
Hispanic/Latino
American Indian/
Alaska Natived,e
Asian/Native Hawaiian/
Other Pacific Islanderd,e
Two or more racesd
Conviction statusb,c
Convicted
Male
Female
Unconvicted
Male
Female

2000

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

88.6%
11.4
98.8%
87.4
11.3
1.2%
1.0
0.2

87.3%
12.7
99.1%
86.5
12.6
0.9%
0.8
0.1

87.1%
12.9
99.2%
86.3
12.9
0.8%
0.6
0.2

87.1%
12.9
99.1%
86.3
12.8
0.9%
0.7
0.2

87.3%
12.7
99.0%
86.4
12.6
1.0%
0.8
0.2

87.8%
12.2
99.1%
86.9
12.1
0.9%
0.8
0.2

87.7%
12.3
99.0%
86.7
12.3
1.0%
0.8
0.3

87.3%
12.7
99.2%
86.6
12.6
0.8%
0.6
0.2

86.8%
13.2
99.3%
86.1
13.2
0.7%
0.6
0.1

86.0%
14.0
99.4%
85.4
13.9
0.6%
0.5
0.1

41.9%
41.3
15.2

44.3%
38.9
15.0

43.9%
38.6
15.6

43.3%
38.7
16.1

42.5%
39.2
16.4

42.5%
39.2
16.2

44.3%
37.8
15.8

44.8%
37.6
15.5

45.8%
36.9
15.1

47.2%
35.8
14.8

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.4

0.8
...

0.7
0.1

0.7
0.1

0.7
0.1

0.7
0.2

0.7
0.2

0.7
0.1

0.7
0.2

0.7
0.2

0.7
0.2

44.0%
39.0
5.0
56.0%
50.0
6.0

38.0%
33.2
4.9
62.0%
54.2
7.7

37.9%
32.8
5.0
62.1%
54.3
7.8

38.0%
32.9
5.2
62.0%
54.3
7.7

37.1%
32.3
4.8
62.9%
55.2
7.8

37.8%
33.0
4.8
62.2%
54.8
7.4

38.9%
…
…
61.1%
…
…

39.4%
…
…
60.6%
…
…

39.4%
…
…
60.6%
…
…

38.0%
…
…
62.0%
…
…

Note: Percentages are based on the total number of inmates held on the last weekday in June. Detail may not sum to total due to rounding.
…Not collected. Starting in 2010, the Annual Survey of Jails did not collect data on conviction status by sex.
aPersons age 17 or younger at midyear.
bIncludes juveniles who were tried or awaiting trial as adults.
cData adjusted for nonresponse. See Methodology.
dExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.
ePrevious reports combined American Indians and Alaska Natives and Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders into an Other race category.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000 and midyear 2006–2013, and the 2005 Census of Jail Inmates.

Table 4
Inmates confined in local jails at midyear, by size of jurisdiction, 2012–2013
Jurisdiction sizeb
Total
Fewer than 50 inmates
50 to 99
100 to 249
250 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more

2012
744,524
25,091
41,630
93,085
102,640
123,512
358,567

Inmates confined at midyeara
2013
Difference
731,208
-13,316
23,545
-1,546
38,970
-2,660
95,031
1,946
102,362
-278
123,155
-357
348,145
-10,422

Percent change
-1.8%
-6.2%
-6.4
2.1
-0.3
-0.3
-2.9

Percent of all inmates
2012
2013
100%
100%
3.4%
3.2%
5.6
5.3
12.5
13.0
13.8
14.0
16.6
16.8
48.2
47.6

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding.
aNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
bBased on the average daily population (ADP) during the 12-month period ending June 30, 2006, the first year in the current Annual Survey of Jails series. ADP is the sum
of all inmates in jail each day for a year, divided by the number of days in the year.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

7

Revised August 12, 2014
Table 5
Rated capacity of local jails and percent of capacity occupied, 2000–2013
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Average annual change
2000–2012
2012–2013

Rated capacityc
677,787
699,309
713,899
736,471
755,603
786,954
794,984
810,543
828,714
849,895
857,918
870,422
877,396
872,943
2.2%
-0.5

Year-to-year change in rated capacitya
Number
Percent
25,466
3.9%
21,522
3.2
14,590
2.1
22,572
3.2
19,132
2.6
33,398
4.1
8,638
1.0
15,863
2.0
18,171
2.2
21,181
2.6
8,023
0.9
12,504
1.5
6,974
0.8
-4,453
-0.5

Percent of capacity occupiedb
Midyeard
Average daily populatione
92.0%
91.2%
90.0
89.5
93.0
91.3
94.0
92.4
94.0
93.5
95.0
93.2
96.3
95.0
96.3
95.4
94.8
93.7
90.3
90.4
87.3
87.3
84.5
84.5
84.9
84.0
83.8
83.8

19,003
-4,453

Note: Based on revised data for 2010 to 2012.
aIncrease or reduction in the number of beds during the 12 months ending midyear of each year. Number and percentage change for 2000 are calculated using the rated
capacity of 652,321 for 1999.
bBased on the confined inmate population divided by the rated capacity and multiplied by 100.
cMaximum number of beds or inmates assigned by a rating official to a facility, excluding separate temporary holding areas.
dNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
eSum of all inmates in jail each day for a year, divided by the number of days in the year.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2000–2004 and midyear 2006–2013, and the 2005 Census of Jail Inmates.

Table 6
Percent of jail capacity occupied at midyear, by size of
jurisdiction, 2012–2013
Jurisdiction sizeb
Total
Fewer than 50 inmates
50 to 99
100 to 249
250 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more

2012a
84.9%
66.2%
72.1
79.5
87.5
85.9
88.8

2013
83.8%
64.4%
69.4
77.9
87.3
84.9
87.9

aNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June divided by the rated
capacity multiplied by 100. Based on revised data for 2012.
bBased on the average daily population (ADP) during the 12-month period
ending June 30, 2006, the first year in the current Annual Survey of Jails series.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

8

Table 7
Average daily jail population, admissions, and turnover rate, by size of jurisdiction, week ending June 30, 2012 and 2013
Jurisdiction sizec
Total
Fewer than 50 inmates
50 to 99
100 to 249
250 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more

2012
737,369
23,832
42,778
89,957
100,487
122,837
357,478

Average daily populationa
2013
Difference
731,352
-6,017
23,301
-531
38,721
-4,057
93,653
3,696
102,045
1,558
123,220
383
350,412
-7,066

Estimated number of admissions
during the last week in June
2012
2013
222,565
224,536
15,987
15,296
17,905
16,315
34,491
32,470
32,105
35,003
34,050
46,806
88,028
78,645

Weekly turnover rateb
2012
2013
60.1%
60.2%
130.6%
121.1%
83.2
83.6
74.3
67.9
63.2
66.3
56.7
75.5
49.4
44.3

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. See Methodology for more detail on estimation procedures.
aSum of all inmates in jail each day for a year. Based on revised data for 2012.
bCalculated by adding weekly admissions and releases, dividing by the average daily population (ADP), and multiplying by 100. Based on revised data for 2012.
cBased on the average daily population (ADP) during the 12-month period ending June 30, 2006, the first year in the current Annual Survey of Jails series.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Table 8
Inmate population in jail jurisdictions reporting on confined persons being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE), midyear 2002–2013
Year
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013

Jurisdictions reporting
on holdings for ICEa
2,961
2,940
2,962
2,824
2,784
2,713
2,699
2,643
2,531
2,758
2,716
2,685

Inmates confined at midyearb
626,870
637,631
673,807
703,084
698,108
683,640
704,278
685,500
622,954
672,643
690,337
673,707

Confined persons held for ICE at midyear
Number
Percent of all inmates
12,501
2.0%
13,337
2.1
14,120
2.1
11,919
1.7
13,598
1.9
15,063
2.2
20,785
3.0
24,278
3.5
21,607
3.5
22,049
3.3
22,870
3.3
17,241
2.6

Note: The standard errors for 2012 (1,672) and 2013 (2,136) are based on the reported data and were not estimated for survey item nonresponse.
aNot all jurisdictions reported on holdings for ICE.
bNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2002–2004 and midyear 2006–2013, and the 2005 Census of Jail Inmates.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

9

Revised August 12, 2014
Table 9
Persons under jail supervision, by confinement status and type of program, midyear 2000 and 2006–2013
Confinement status and type of program
Total
Held in jaila
Supervised outside of a jail facilityb
Weekend programsc
Electronic monitoring
Home detentiond
Day reporting
Community service
Other pretrial supervision
Other work programse
Treatment programsf
Other

2000
687,033
621,149
65,884
14,523
10,782
332
3,969
13,592
6,279
8,011
5,714
2,682

2006
826,041
765,819
60,222
11,421
10,999
807
4,841
14,667
6,409
8,319
1,486
1,273

2007
848,419
780,174
68,245
10,473
13,121
512
6,163
15,327
11,148
7,369
2,276
1,857

2008
858,385
785,533
72,852
12,325
13,539
498
5,758
18,475
12,452
5,808
2,259
1,739

2009
837,647
767,434
70,213
11,212
11,834
738
6,492
17,738
12,439
5,912
2,082
1,766

2010
809,360
748,728
60,632
9,871
12,319
736
5,552
14,646
9,375
4,351
1,799
1,983

2011
798,417
735,601
62,816
11,369
11,950
809
5,200
11,680
10,464
7,165
2,449
1,731

2012
808,622
744,524
64,098
10,351
13,779
2,129
3,890
14,761
7,738
7,137
2,164
2,149

2013
790,649
731,208
59,441
10,950
12,023
1,337
3,683
13,877
7,542
5,341
2,002
2,687

aNumber of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
bNumber of persons under jail supervision but not confined on the last weekday in June. Excludes persons supervised by a probation or parole agency.
cOffenders serve their sentences of confinement on weekends only (i.e., Friday to Sunday).
dIncludes only persons without electronic monitoring.
eIncludes persons in work release programs, work gangs, and other alternative work programs.
fIncludes persons under drug, alcohol, mental health, and other medical treatment.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000 and midyear 2006–2013.

Appendix table 1
Standard errors for selected jail populations, 2012–2013
Characteristic
Total
Held in jail
Supervised outside a jail facility
Excluding weekenders
Weekend programs
Average daily population
Rated capacity
Admissions during the last week in June

2012
8,438
7,684
2,418
2,405
369
7,769
10,217
3,616

2013
8,692
8,042
2,351
2,296
508
7,943
10,723
13,198

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Appendix table 2
Standard errors for table 2: Number of inmates in local jails,
by characteristics, midyear 2000 and 2005–2013
Characteristic
Sex
Male
Female
Adult
Male
Female
Juvenile
Held as adult
Held as juvenile
Race/Hispanic origin
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
American Indian/
Alaska Native
Asian/Native Hawaiian/
Other Pacific Islander
Two or more races
Conviction status
Convicted
Unconvicted

2012
Reported Standard
data
error

2013
Reported Standard
data
error

636,708
97,190
728,547
631,802
96,745
5,351
4,489
862

6,776
1,404
7,655
6,685
1,398
241
230
84

602,193
98,015
695,817
598,228
97,589
4,391
3,366
1,025

7,088
1,469
8,049
7,025
1,467
199
143
139

304,762
245,376
100,682

4,370
4,608
2,958

297,745
225,751
93,133

4,574
4,860
2,580

8,292

866

8,793

932

4,826
1,320

239
161

4,386
1,419

125
212

248,800
383,152

3,750
5,918

234,134
381,588

3,619
6,740

Note: Standard errors are based on the reported data and were not estimated for
survey item nonrespone.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

10

Revised August 12, 2014
Appendix table 3
Standard error ratio estimates for table 3: Percent of inmates
in local jails, by characteristics, midyear 2000 and 2005–2013
Characteristic
Sex
Male
Female
Adult
Male
Female
Juvenile
Held as adult
Held as juvenile
Race/Hispanic origin
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
American Indians or
Alaska Natives
Asian/Native Hawaiian/
Other Pacific Islander
Two or more races
Conviction status
Convicted
Unconvicted

Estimate

Standard error

86.0%
14.0
99.4%
85.4
13.9
0.6%
0.5
0.1

0.1%
0.1
-0.1
0.1
----

47.2%
35.8
14.8

0.5%
0.5
0.3

1.4

0.1

0.7
0.2

---

38.0%
62.0

0.5%
0.5%

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding.
--Less than 0.05%.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2013.

Appendix table 4
Standard errors for table 4: Inmates confined in local jails at
midyear, by size of jurisdiction, 2012–2013
Jurisdiction size
Total
Fewer than 50 inmates
50 to 99
100 to 249
250 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more

Inmates confined at midyear
2012
2013
7,684
8,042
2,192
2,589
3,070
3,185
4,002
4,313
4,633
5,092
4,174
4,109
6,752
6,901

Appendix table 6
Standard errors for table 7: Average daily jail population,
admissions, and turnover rate, by size of jurisdiction, week
ending June 30, 2012 and 2013

Jurisdiction size
Total
Fewer than 50 inmates
50 to 99
100 to 249
250 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more

Average daily
population
2012
2013
7,769
7,943
2,262
2,422
3,229
3,119
3,912
4,165
4,500
4,956
4,129
4,128
6,800
6,974

Estimated number of
admissions during the
last week in June
2012
2013
3,616
13,198
1,714
1,785
1,824
2,173
2,385
2,446
1,763
2,391
1,373
13,009
1,567
1,584

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Appendix table 7
Standard errors for table 9: Persons under jail supervision,
by confinement status and type of program, midyear 2000
and 2006–2013
Confinement status and type of program
Total
Held in jail
Supervised outside of a jail facility
Weekend programs
Electronic monitoring
Home detention
Day reporting
Community service
Other pretrial supervision
Other work programs
Treatment programs
Other

2012
8,438
7,684
2,418
369
747
386
396
1,089
909
334
261
196

2013
8,692
8,042
2,351
508
624
232
348
1,133
698
390
230
512

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Appendix table 5
Standard errors for table 6: Percent of jail capacity occupied
at midyear, by size of jurisdiction, 2012–2013
Jurisdiction size
Total
Fewer than 50 inmates
50 to 99
100 to 249
250 to 499
500 to 999
1,000 or more

2012
10,217
3,059
4,318
5,818
6,161
5,098
8,163

2013
10,723
3,264
4,525
6,269
6,858
5,138
8,419

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2012–2013.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

11

Revised August 12, 2014

Methodology
Annual Survey of Jails
In years between the complete census of local jails, the
Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) conducts the Annual Survey
of Jails (ASJ). ASJ uses a stratified probability sample of jail
jurisdictions to estimate the number and characteristics of
local inmates nationwide. For the 2013 ASJ, the U.S. Census
Bureau, as the collection agent, drew a sample of 891 jail
jurisdictions (including 21 newly added existing California
jail jurisdictions) represented by 946 jail facilities (referred
to as reporting units). This sample represents over 2,800 jail
jurisdictions nationwide. Local jail jurisdictions include
counties (parishes in Louisiana) or municipal governments
that administer one or more local jails.
In the adopted design, the over 2,800 jail jurisdictions
nationwide were grouped into 10 strata. The 10 strata were
defined by the crossing of two variables: the jail jurisdiction
ADP in 2005, and whether in 2005 the jurisdiction held at
least one juvenile. For 8 of the 10 strata, a random sample of
jail jurisdictions was selected. For the remaining two strata,
all jurisdictions were included in the sample. One stratum
consisted of all jails (70) that were operated jointly by two or
more jurisdictions (referred to as multi-jurisdictional jails).
The other stratum (referred as certainty stratum) consisted
of all jail jurisdictions (267) that—
ƒƒheld juvenile inmates at the time of the 2005 Census of
Jail Inmates and had an average daily population (ADP)
of 500 or more inmates during the 12 months ending
June 30, 2005.
ƒƒheld only adult inmates and had an ADP of 750 or more.
The 2013 ASJ differed from the 2006–2012 ASJs, as the
2013 ASJ included in the sample with a probability of one all
California jail jurisdictions in response to the two enacted
laws—AB 109 and AB 117 by the California State Legislature
and governor—to reduce the number of inmates housed in
state prisons starting October 1, 2011. The inclusion of all
California jail jurisdictions resulted in an additional 21 jail
jurisdictions (for a total sample size of 891 jurisdictions).
Since the enactment of the two laws in recent years, the
California jail population has experienced changes in size
that cannot be compared to the changes of any other state
in the U.S. For this reason, the California jail jurisdictions
were put in separate strata so that they could represent only
California jurisdictions. The same sampling design was
adopted for the California jurisdictions.
BJS obtained data from sampled jail jurisdictions by mailed
and web-based survey questionnaires. After follow-up phone
calls and facsimiles, the response rate for data reporters was
nearly 100% for critical items, such as the number of inmates

confined, ADP, and rated capacity. (See appendix tables 1-7
for standard errors associated with reported estimates from
the 2013 ASJ
.
Response rate, nonresponse adjustment, and out-ofscope jail facilities
The 2013 ASJ sample comprised 946 reporting units. Ninetyone percent (or 859) of the 941 individual reporting units
responded to the 2013 data collection, and 82 individual
reporting units did not respond to the survey.*
BJS implemented nonresponse weight adjustment
procedures to account for unit nonresponse, as it did in 2011
and 2012.
Respondent indicators
The respondent reporting unit indicator JAILRhij is set for each
individual reporting unit j in jurisdiction i in stratum h on the
file, based on the status of the individual reporting unit.
JAILRhij =

{ 0 if nonrespondent, closed, or out‐of‐scope.
1 if respondent or using prior year data

The respondent jurisdiction indicator JURISRhi is set for each
jurisdiction i in stratum h on the file, based on the value of
JAILRhij for the reporting units within the jurisdiction.
JURISRhi =

{

ni
1 if ∑ j=1 JAILRhij ≥1
0 otherwise.

Active Indicators
The active reporting unit indicator JAILAhij is set for each
individual reporting unit j in jurisdiction i in stratum h on
the file, based on the status of the individual reporting unit.
JAILAhij =

using prior year data, or nonrespondent
{ 10 ifif respondent,
closed, or out‐of‐scope.

The active jurisdiction indicator JURISAhi is set for each
jurisdiction i in stratum h on the file, based on the value of
JAILAhij for the reporting units within the jurisdiction.
JURISAhi =

ni
JAILAhij
∑j=1

{ 0 otherwise.
1 if

≥1

*The sample initially comprised 946 units. However, 5 units were outof-scope for the 2013 data collection because they had closed, either
permanently or temporarily, which resulted in the sample of 941 active
respondents.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

12

Nonresponse weighting adjustment factor
The nonresponse weighting adjustment factor is calculated
within each stratum. BJS uses the sample weights in the
nonresponse adjustment factor. The nonresponse weighting
adjustment factor F2h is calculated as
n

∑ i=1h Whi
=
F2h
n
∑ i=1h Whi

× JURISAhi
× JURISRhi

where
nh = number of jurisdictions sampled in stratum h,
whi = sample weight for jurisdiction i in stratum h.
Final weight
The final weight FWhi for each jail jurisdiction on the
2013 ASJ data file is calculated as
FWhi = Whi × F2h × JURISRhi

where
Whi = sample weight in jurisdiction i in stratum h.

The weight adjustment for California jail jurisdictions is
computed as
PSCAh =

∑

NCAh
nCAh JURISR
CAhi
i=1

where
NCAh = number of California jurisdictions in stratum h,
nCAh = number of sampled California jurisdictions in
stratum h
The post-stratification adjustment for non-California
jurisdictions is computed as
PSCAh =

∑

NCAh
nCAh
JURISRCAhi
i=1

where
NCAh = number of non-California jurisdictions in stratum
h, computed as
NCAh=Wh ×

nCAh
JURISACAhi
∑ i=1

nCAh = number of sampled non-California jurisdictions in
stratum h.

JAILRhi is used to set the final weight to 0 for units that are
closed, out-of-scope, or nonrespondents.

Item nonresponse imputation

Final weight post-stratification: California jail
jurisdictions and the Public Safety Realignment

Critical items: Midyear inmate population, average daily
population (ADP), and rated capacity

Because of the California Public Safety Realignment,
between midyear 2011 and midyear 2013, California jails
experienced a significant increase in the number of inmates
(about 12,000 inmates) that was not experienced by jails
nationwide. Consequently, California jails do not represent
other jail jurisdictions nationwide. To ensure that the
sampled California jail jurisdictions represent California
jurisdictions only, BJS computed new weights. Without
computing these new weights, the estimated nationwide jail
population would be erroneously inflated.
The post-stratification final weight adjustment is calculated
for each stratum from which California jurisdictions
were sampled. More specifically for each stratum, two
new strata and set of weights were created: one for the
California jurisdictions (PSCAh) and one for the nonCalifornia jurisdictions (PSCAh). In 2013, all California jail
jurisdictions were included in the sample; however, not all of
them responded.

Based on the 2013 ASJ, about 99% of the 859 individual
reporting units provided valid data on their midyear
inmate population (853), average daily population (847),
and rated capacity (849). To calculate a national midyear
inmate population, ADP, and rated capacity estimate, data
were estimated for the reporting units that did not report
specific data.
Estimates were calculated based on the following criteria:
ƒƒData for 5 individual reporting units included midyear
inmate population data based on estimates from the
2012 ASJ.
ƒƒData for 1 individual reporting unit included the midyear
inmate population data based on estimates from the
2011 ASJ.
ƒƒData for 11 individual reporting units included ADP data
based on estimates from the 2012 ASJ.
ƒƒData for 1 individual reporting unit included the ADP
data based on their confined population at midyear 2013.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

13

ƒƒData for 7 individual reporting units included rated
capacity data based on estimates from the 2012 ASJ.
ƒƒData for 3 individual reporting unit included rated
capacity data based on estimates from the 2011 ASJ.

(342,956). The number of annual admissions was calculated
by multiplying the weekly admissions by 366 days and
dividing by 7 days.
Calculating weekly turnover rates

Based on the 2013 ASJ, more than 90% of the 859 individual
reporting units provided valid data on sex, age, and race/
Hispanic origin. Nearly 91% of respondents provided data
on inmate conviction status. To calculate a national rate for
inmate characteristics, data were estimated based on the
ratio of the reported characteristic population to the total
midyear confined population.

Weekly jail turnover rates were modeled after the Bureau of
Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
Additional information on turnover rates is available at
http://www.bls.gov/jlt/. Jail turnover rates were calculated
by adding admissions and releases, and then dividing by the
ADP. The turnover rate takes into account jail admissions
and releases and gives an indication of the fluctuation of the
jail population.

Weekly admission and release estimation procedures

Jurisdiction size categories

Based on the 2013 ASJ, 847 of the 859 individual reporting
units (98%) provided valid data on weekly admissions
or releases. To calculate an overall weekly estimate, data
on offender flows through local jails were estimated for
the 12 reporting units that did not report specific data on
admissions and releases. Release data were estimated for
3 reporting units that reported data on admissions, but not
on releases. Nonresponse weight adjustments account for the
82 survey nonrespondents.

For the 2011 through 2013 reports, BJS categorized
jurisdiction sizes based on the ADP during the 12 months
ending midyear 2006 (the first year in the current ASJ
series). For the 2010 report, comparisons of size categories
from midyear 2009 to midyear 2010 were based on the ADP
during the 12 months ending midyear 2009. In previous
reports (2007 through 2009), the size category comparisons
were based on the 12 months ending midyear of the specific
collection year. As a result, not all data in previous reports
are comparable with data in this report.

Inmate characteristics

Estimates were calculated based on the following criteria:
ƒƒData for 1 individual reporting unit included admission
and release data based on estimates from the 2005 Census
of Jail Inmates.
ƒƒData for 1 individual reporting unit included admission
and release data based on estimates from the 2007 ASJ.
ƒƒData for 4 individual reporting units included admission
and release data based on estimates from the 2011 ASJ.
ƒƒData for 6 individual reporting units included admission
and release data based on estimates from the 2012 ASJ.
ƒƒRelease data for 3 individual reporting units were based
on admission data reported in 2013.

Estimating California’s 2012 midyear jail population
The ASJ is a sample survey, and data are not representative
of individual states (except for California starting with the
2013 ASJ). In 2012, data from about 70% of California’s jail
jurisdictions were included in the 2006–2012 ASJs. Based
on yearend data of California’s jail population collected
through BJS’s Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 70% of
California’s jail jurisdictions included in the ASJ accounted
for about 97.5% of all California’s jail population in any
given year from 2005 to 2011.
In 2012, to calculate a midyear jail population, BJS applied
the proportion of the latest yearend non-ASJ sample of
California’s jail population to the midyear inmate population
in the ASJ sample for that year.

Calculating annual admissions

For example:

The ASJ collects data on weekly admissions. BJS determined
that the June admission data from the 2004 Survey of Large
Jails (SLJ) were a reliable source to calculate a nationwide
annual admission estimate. Although the number of
admissions to jails fluctuated throughout the year, the SLJ
tracked monthly movements from January 2003 to January
2004 and showed that the June 2003 count (339,500)
closely matched the annual average number of admissions

ASJ sample of California’s jail population at midyear 2012 =
76,667
Proportion of the latest non-ASJ sample of California jail
population at yearend 2011 = 2.5868%.
(76,667 * .025868) + (76,667)= 78,650 estimated midyear
jail population.

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

14

Jail functions
Jails in the ASJ include confinement facilities—usually
administered by a local law enforcement agency—that are
intended for adults but may hold juveniles before or after
they are adjudicated. Facilities include jails and city or
county correctional centers; special jail facilities, such as
medical or treatment release centers, halfway houses, and
work farms; and temporary holding or lockup facilities that
are part of the jail’s combined function. Inmates sentenced to
jail facilities usually have a sentence of 1 year or less.
Within the ASJ, jails—
ƒƒreceive individuals pending arraignment and hold them
awaiting trial, conviction, or sentencing
ƒƒre-admit probation, parole, and bail bond violators and
absconders
ƒƒtemporarily detain juveniles pending their transfer to
juvenile authorities
ƒƒhold mentally ill persons pending their movement to
appropriate mental health facilities
ƒƒhold individuals for the military, for protective custody,
for contempt, and for the courts as witnesses
ƒƒrelease convicted inmates to the community upon
completion of sentence
ƒƒtransfer inmates to federal, state, or other authorities
ƒƒhouse inmates for federal, state, or other authorities
because of crowding of their facilities
ƒƒsometimes operate community-based programs as
alternatives to incarceration.
Terms and definitions used in the report
Admissions—Persons who are officially booked and housed
in jails by formal legal document and the authority of the
courts or some other official agency. Jail admissions include
persons sentenced to weekend programs and those who are
booked into the facility for the first time. Excluded from
jail admissions are inmates re-entering the facility after an
escape, work release, medical appointment or treatment
facility appointment, and bail and court appearances. BJS
collects jail admissions for the last 7 days in June.
Average daily population (ADP)—The average is derived
by the sum of inmates in jail each day for a year, divided by
the number of days in the year (i.e., between July 1, 2012,
and June 30, 2013).

Average annual change—The mean average change across a
12-month time period.
Calculating annual admissions—BJS collects the number
of jail admissions during the last 7 days in June. Annual jail
admissions are calculated by multiplying weekly admissions
by the sum of 365 days divided by 7 days.
Calculating weekly jail turnover rate—This rate is
calculated by adding admissions and releases and dividing
by the average daily population. See Calculating weekly
turnover rates for additional information.
Inmates confined at midyear—The number of inmates held
in custody on the last weekday in June.
Jail incarceration rate—The number of inmates held in the
custody of local jails, per 100,000 U.S. residents.
Percent of capacity occupied—This percentage is calculated
by taking the number of inmates (midyear or average daily
population), dividing by the rated capacity, and multiplying
by 100.
Rated capacity—The number of beds or inmates assigned
by a rating official to a facility, excluding separate temporary
holding areas.
Releases—Persons released after a period of confinement
(e.g., sentence completion, bail or bond releases, other
pretrial releases, transfers to other jurisdictions, and deaths).
Releases include those persons who have completed their
weekend program and who are leaving the facility for the last
time. Excluded from jail releases are temporary discharges
including work release, medical appointment or treatment
center, court appearance, furlough, day reporting, and
transfers to other facilities within the jail’s jurisdiction.
Under jail supervision but not confined—This
classification includes all persons in community-based
programs operated by a jail facility. These programs include
electronic monitoring, house arrest, community service, day
reporting, and work programs. The classification excludes
persons on pretrial release and who are not in a communitybased program run by the jail, as well as persons under
supervision of probation, parole or other agencies, inmates
on weekend programs, and inmates who participate in work
release programs and return to the jail at night.
Weekend programs—Offenders in these programs are
allowed to serve their sentences of confinement only on
weekends (i.e., Friday to Sunday).

Jail Inmates at Midyear 2013 – Statistical Tables | May 2014	

15

The Bureau of Justice Statistics, located in the Office of Justice Programs,
U.S. Department of Justice, collects, analyzes, and disseminates statistical
information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the
operation of justice systems at all levels of government. William J. Sabol is
acting director.
This report was written by Todd D. Minton and Daniela Golinelli. E. Ann
Carson and Tracy L. Snell verified the report.
Leslie Miller carried out the data collection and processing with assistance
provided by Beth Davis and Lorelle Dennis under the supervision of Stephen
Simoncini and Heather C. West, Ph.D., Governments Division, Census
Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce. Suzanne Dorinski and Rekha
Kudlur provided statistical and technical assistance.
Lockheed Martin and Jill Thomas edited the report. Tina Dorsey and
Barbara Quinn produced the report.
May 2014, NCJ 245350

Office of Justice Programs
Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods
www.ojp.usdoj.gov