NCJ Number
145556
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Based on official statistics and jail surveys, this report examines trends in adult jail admissions, average daily population, length of stay, rates of detention, and jail capacity in Wisconsin between 1959 and 1992.
Abstract
Results revealed that total adult admissions increased from 31,482 in 1959 to 161,177 during 1992. Since 1979, total admissions have increased by 92 percent. In 1992, one jail admission occurred for every 23 adults, compared to one admission for every 29 adults in 1988. The proportion of female admissions has increased from 6.4 percent in 1959 to 12.9 percent in 1992. The average length of time spent in jail has increased from 15.2 days in 1988 to 16.2 days in 1992. During 1979, approximately 18.4 percent of admissions were serving a sentence, compared to 33.5 percent in 1992. Total adult jail capacity increased from 5,923 in 1989 to 8,270 in 1992. Alcoholics Anonymous was available in 64 facilities in 1992; Narcotics Anonymous was available in 47 facilities. Changes in State laws and sentencing practices were among the major reasons for the increase in jail inmate populations. Tables, figure, and map