Probation and Parole in the U.S., 2004
In November the Bureau of Justice Statistics released its report on “Probation and Parole in the United States, 2004.” The total of federal, state, and local adults incarcerated or under community supervision during that year teetered on the brink of 7 million, an all-time high, with 4,151,125 on community probation, 765,355 on parole, 713,990 in jail and 1,421,911 in prison. This was a rise of just 0.9% over 2003, which is only one-third of the average annual increase since 1995— the smallest annual growth rate since BJS began doing the survey in 1979. Approximately 3.2% of the adult population in this country was incarcerated or on probation or parole at the end of 2004.
Looking more closely at the breakdowns by state, BJS finds four states with an increase of 10% or more in their probationers: Kentucky (15%), Mississippi (12%), New Mexico (11%), and New Jersey (10%). Twenty-one states record decreases in adult probationers, with Washington State showing a doubledigit decrease of 27%.
The parole population in the U.S. grew by 2.7%, which is more than twice the annual average (of 1.3%) since 1995. In a breakdown of probation offenses, 50% of all probationers in 2004 had been convicted of a misdemeanor, 49% of a felony, and 1% of other infractions. Twenty-six percent were serving a probation term for a drug violation, and 15% had been found guilty of driving while intoxicated.
The probation population increased by 0.5% nationally in 2004, a decline from the annual average of 3.0% since 1995. Probationers were 59% of all persons under correctional supervision in 2004 (down from 61% in 1990); prisoners were 20% (up from 17% in 1990); and those in jail were 10% (up from 9% in 1990). Five states made up nearly a third of the growth in probation population from 1995 to 2004. In order of increase, they are California, whose probation population grew by 104,300; Pennsylvania, which grew by 60,400; Michigan (34,700), Illinois (34,400), and Minnesota (30,400).
Three states, the Federal system and the District of Columbia showed decreases of at least 2,000 adult probationers between 1995 and 2004: New York (–46,000), Federal system (–7,100); D.C. (–2,700); Connecticut (–2,400); and Kansas (–2,200).
Absconders accounted for about 1 in 11 probationers in 2004—a rate of 9% that has remained constant since 1995. Sixty percent of the 2.2 million people discharged from probation last year had met the conditions of their supervision; 15% were re-incarcerated before discharge due to violations or new offenses (down from 21% in 1995); 4% of those scheduled for discharge in 2004 had absconded; and 10% had probation revoked without incarceration.
The number of those on parole grew 2.7% in 2004, which was more than twice the average annual increase since 1995, but down from the 3.1% increase in 2003. Thirty-nine states recorded increases in adults on parole in 2004; nine reported decreases.
These and other statistics, along with tables and graphs, are available online at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ppus04.htm
Death Row Statistics for 2004
The Bureau of Justice Statistics announced in Nov. that the count of state and federal death-row inmates on the last day of 2004 was 3,315—which was 63 fewer than the year before. There were 59 executions involving 12 states in 2004 (6 fewer than in 2003). On average, those executed had been on death row for 11 years. California led the list for prisoners sentenced to death (637), followed by Texas (446), Florida (364), and Pennsylvania (222). Those under a Federal sentence of death numbered 33.
Of the 59 executed in 2004, 36 were white, 19 were black, 3 Hispanic (all white), and 1 Asian. Fifty-eight prisoners received lethal injections; one was electrocuted. Texas led the states in number of executions (23), followed by Ohio (7), Oklahoma (6), Virginia (5), and the Carolinas (each of which had 4).
Fifty-two women were on death row in 2004, up from 43 in 1994. For more information, including tables and graphs, visit the bureau of justice statistics web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs.