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HISTORICAL TRENDS, INSTITUTION AND PAROLE POPULATION, 1970-1990

NCJ Number
143955
Date Published
1991
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistical data indicating historical trends from 1970-90 in the numbers and characteristics of California inmates and parolees.
Abstract
The data reveal that the inmate population increased from 25,033 in 1970 to 97,309 in 1990. White male inmates declined from 52 percent of the male inmate population in 1970 to 29 percent in 1990. The percentage of inmates incarcerated for violence crimes declined from 54 percent to 43 percent for male felons and from 34 percent to 24 percent for female felons. In contrast, for drug offenses the percentages increased from 15 percent to 24 percent for male felons and from 26 percent to 38 percent for female felons. The percentages of both male and female felons indicated little change for property or other offenses. The number of parole violators returned to prison increased from 2,563 in 1970 to 54,379 in 1990. Other data covered offense categories, time served, and overcrowding. Tables and figures