NCJ Number
116315
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Population counts for prisons in the United States on December 31, 1988 are presented.
Abstract
The prison population increased 7.4 percent during the year, a slightly higher rate than in 1987. The 1988 increase of 43,000 prisoners equals a demand for more than 800 new prison beds per week. The number of prisoners at the end of the year set a new record for the 14th consecutive year. The number of sentenced prisoners per 100,000 residents was 244, also setting a new record. The growth was higher in the western States than in the other regions. In addition, female inmates increased more rapidly than male inmates. More than 14,000 State inmates were held in local jails because of crowding in State facilities. Most jurisdictions were operating above their reported capacity. Data tables and explanatory notes for each State.