NCJ Number
126845
Date Published
1989
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This report contains a wide-range of statistical and demographic information on Pennsylvania's county prison and jail population.
Abstract
Pennsylvania's county prisons and jails have experienced a significant population increase over the last 10 years. The single largest population gain occurred between 1980 and 1981 when the population rose by over 18 percent. During 1987 and 1988, the most significant year-end population increases were noted in Berks (29.6 percent), York (28.2 percent), Delaware (20.8 percent), and Bradford (20.5 percent) counties. The largest decline in county prison population was reported by Fayette county which experienced a 20.9 percent decrease in the county prison population. Philadelphia and Allegheny county jail systems continue to house a considerable portion of the county offender population. Philadelphia County has, by far, both the highest number (3,563) and percentage (81.9 percent) of nonwhite inmates. While the total county prison population has increased steadily, the relative proportion of whites to nonwhites within the population has remained relatively constant. Currently, the male to female ratio in the county prisons and jails is 93 percent male to 7 percent female. The statewide average inmate to civilian population ratio for 1988 was 119.7 per 100,000. 33 tables and 18 figures