The Importance of Successful Reentry to Jail Population Growth

1. The Importance of Successful Reentry to Jail Population Growth Presented by: Allen J. Beck, Chief Corrections Statistics Program Bureau of Justice Statistics Presented at: The Jail Reentry Roundtable The Urban Institute Washington, DC June 27, 2006

2. Local jails often ignored in policy discussions, yet process more than 12 million admissions annually • Jails serve a variety functions and provide an array of services related to successful reentry • Point of entry into criminal justice system but also point of release and return • On any one day, half of the Nation’s jail population is the consequence of failure under community supervision • 34% on probation;13% on parole;7% out on bail/bond; 2% other release • In 2004 approximately 219,000 parolees and 330,000 probationers failed and were incarcerated

4. Jail admissions more than16 times the average daily population Population counts: June 30, 2005 747,500 Average daily 733,400 Admissions: 7/1/04 – 6/30/05 12.1 million 1/1/04 – 12/31/04 12.6 million Unique offenders* 9.0 million *Based on 71.1% incarcerated twice in 12 mos.

5. 12-month growth rate for local jails rose sharply in 2005 10 8 6 Percent Change 4 2 0 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

6. Capacity has kept pace with population; jails at 95% of capacityin 2005

8. Jail population is aging

9. Distribution by gender, race and Hispanic origin slowly changing

11. Growth in jail populations linked to • Increasing use of jails for housing by other correctional authorities • Rising number of pre-trail detainees • Growth in number of felons sentenced to jail • Growth in the number of community release violators • Time expected to be served by sentenced inmates unchanged (mean 9 months; median 5 months)

12. Increasing number of inmates heldfor other authorities

13. Rise in unconvicted jail inmates accounts for more than two-thirds of growth

14. Increasing number of offenders on community supervision returning to jail • Number of probationers revoked and incarcerated 330,000 in 2004 up from 222,000 in 1990 • Number of parolees revoked and incarcerated 219,000 in 2004, up from 133,900 in 1990 • At time of admission in 2002, 34% of jail inmates were on probation (up from 28% in 1989); 13% were on parole (up from 10% in 1989)

15. 46% of all jail inmates were on probation or parole at the time of arrest Estimated Criminal justice number of Percent of status at arrest inmates, 2005 jail inmates None 349,800 46% Any status 397,700 54 On probation 251,200 34 On parole 94,200 13

16. 26% of probation violators; 31% of parole violators revoked due to arrest/conviction for a new offense Status at arrest Revocation statusProbationParole Not revoked 34% 33% Revoked 66% 67 Arrest/conviction for new offense 26 31 Any drug-related violation 17 18 Positive drug test/possession 13 16 Failure to report: testing/treatment 6 5 Absconded 20 20

17. 74% of all jail inmates on probation or parole at arrest met the criteria for substance abuse or dependence Probation Other Diagnostic criteria or Parole Inmates Any abuse or dependence 74% 64% Dependence and abuse 49 41 Dependence only 1 1 Abuse only 24 22 No dependence or abuse 26 36

18. Marijuana, cocaine/crack andhallucinogens were the drugs inmates most commonly used Convicted inmates On probation or parole at arrest Month before At time Substance offense of arrest Alcohol 80% 33% Drugs 60 32 - Marijuana 40 14 - Cocaine or crack 23 12 - Heroin or opiates 9 5 - Stimulants 16 6

19. Treatment gap linked to CJ system • Of the 415,000 substance dependent/abusing jail inmates needing treatment in 2002: • 63% had been in any treatment or programs ever in the past • 47% had participated in treatment or programs under some form of correctional supervision

20. More inmates receive treatment while on probation/parole, than while in jail • 30% of substance dependent/abusing jail inmates had received treatment under correctional supervision • 22% received treatment while on probation/parole, while 17% received treatment while in jail • 36% participated in other programs under correctional supervision • 26% participated in other programs while on probation/parole; 24% participated while in jail

21. Substance abuse treatment rose between 1996 and 2002 • • Rate of treatment/programs while under correctional supervision increased from 1996 to 2002: • Use at offense, from 43% to 53% • Use in the month before the offense, from 39% to 47% • Treatment/program participation after admission, also up from 1996: • 20% from 17% for use at offense • 17% from 14% for use in the month before offense

22. Special needs of inmates remain challenge for jail management • A third report regular use of cocaine/crack; 1 in 8 heroin or other opiates • 47% of women and 13% of men report past physical/sexual abuse • 16% history of mental illness; 10% of males and 16% of females received services • A third report having medical problem needing medical attention since admission

23. Other challenges • 14% of jail inmates reported being homeless, living in shelter or on street in last year • 29% of inmates unemployed; 18% only occasional employment • 46% report a family member ever incarcerated; 31% a brother;19% a father • 31% report parent abusing alcohol/drugs will growing up • 44% from single parent household; 13% from households missing both parents

24. Length of stay statistics suggest limited treatment opportunities in jails Expected Estimated number length of stay admitted Percent >1 month 2.5 million 19% >2 months 1.6 million 13% >4 months 970,000 7% >6 months 540,000 4% Source: A. Beck, unpublished estimates, 6/24/06.

25. Treatment opportunities very limited in small jail jurisdictions