The "correctional population" is shrinking—a lot. Before we dive into the numbers, first a definition. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics' (BJS), the correctional population is...
"the number of adults living in the community while supervised on probation or parole and adults under the jurisdiction of state or federal prisons or in the custody of local jails."
In other words, it's the whole shebang of people who got into trouble and are still paying their dues.
Between 2010 and 2020, the correctional population shrank by a substantial 22 percent, according to the BJS. Nearly half of that decline occurred in just one year—in 2020, when the total correctional population fell by 10.6 percent.
Percent change in correctional population, 2010 to 2020 (and 2019-20)
Total correctional population: -22.4% (-10.6%)
Probation or parole: -20.4% (-6.6%)
Incarcerated: -25.8% (-18.9%)
The coronavirus pandemic was behind 2020's big decline in the correctional population, with policy changes made in the correctional system to limit the spread of the virus.
Between 2010 and January 1, 2020, the total correctional population fell by 746,000—from 7.1 million to 6.2 million. In the 12 months from January 1 to December 31, 2020, the total correctional population fell by another 652,000. At the end of 2020, just 5.5 million were under correctional supervision—1 in every 47 adults in the United States. This was down from 1 in every 40 adults in 2019 and 1 in every 33 adults in 2010.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Correctional Population in the United States, 2020—Statistical Tables
2 comments:
"In other words, it's the whole shebang of people who got into trouble and are still paying their dues." Regarding the jail population, this is not correct. Many of those in jail are awaiting trial and have not been judged (or pleaded) guilty or not guilty. Others may be serving misdemeanor sentences. Please do not add to the presumption of guilt before trial, or the equivocation of jails with prisons. They are not the same. Jails are holding facilities. Prisons (state and federal) are where people are sent after being sentenced. Also, your cavalier language is troubling, to use your own words.
Point taken. Thank you for your comment.
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