Over this time period, New York State's inmate population increased 101 percent. While the number of inmates born in the United States increased 93 percent during this time, the number of foreign-born inmates increased by 244 percent. As of December 31, 1996, there were 9,052 foreign-born inmates under custody; these inmates composed 13 percent of the total inmate population. The foreign-born inmates came from 120 countries throughout the world; however, approximately 80 percent of the inmates who claimed foreign birth came from either the Caribbean or South America. Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of the foreign-born inmates were born in one of four countries: the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Cuba, or Jamaica. Foreign-born inmates were more likely to be convicted of drug offenses and more serious felonies than inmates born in the United States. As the foreign- born prison population continues to increase and be imprisoned for a longer time than inmates born in the United States due to the nature of their commitment offenses, corrections resources are being seriously strained due to the increased demand for housing and programming. 13 tables and appended listing of foreign countries by region