U.S. Prison Population Trends: Broad Variation Among States in Recent Years

"This fact sheet reveals broad variation in nationwide incarceration trends up through 2013. While the number of people in prison in the United States has stabilized in recent years, incarceration trends among the states have varied significantly. Two-thirds of states (34) have experienced at least a modest decline since 1999, while one-third (16) have had continued rises in their prison populations. Nine states have produced double-digit declines during this period, led by New Jersey (29% since 1999), New York (27% since 1999), and California (22% since 2006, though partly offset by increasing jail use)" (p. 1). Since 2009 the total state prison population has decreased 2.4%, with the federal prison population decreasing 1%.