William J. Sabol, Ph.D., Heather Couture, Paige M. Harrison, Bureau of Justice Statistics

December 5, 2007    NCJ 219416

Reports the number of persons in State and Federal prisons at yearend, compares the increase in the prison population during 2006 with the previous year, and presents prison growth rates since 2000. The report also provides the number of male and female prisoners on December 31, 2006, and the rates of incarceration by jurisdiction. It includes the number of prisoners held at yearend in the U.S. Territories and Commonwealths, in military facilities, and in facilities operated by or for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Data are presented on prison capacities and the use of local jails and privately operated prisons. Estimates are provided on the number of sentenced prisoners by age, gender, race, and Hispanic origin, and type of offense.

Highlights:

• During 2006 the number of women in prison increased by 4.5%, reaching 112,498 prisoners.
• About 96% of prisoners under State or Federal jurisdiction (or 1,502,179 prisoners) were sentenced to more than 1 year in prison.
• A total of 113,791 State and Federal prisoners were held in privately operated facilities at yearend 2006.

Part of the Prisoners Series

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