Incarceration Trends in

California

Incarceration in Local Jails and State Prisons

This fact sheet provides at-a-glance information about how many people are locked up in both state prisons and county jails and shows where the state stands on a variety of metrics, so that policymakers and the public can better determine where to target reforms.

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Key Facts

In 2017, Black people were incarcerated at 8.0 times the rate of white people.

In California, Black people constituted 6% of state residents, but 28% of people in prison.

The number of women in California’s prisons has increased more than sixfold, from 847 in 1978 to 5,793 in 2017.

Total Number of People in County Jails and State Prisons, 2015

Explore your state's use of local jails and state prisons.

Photo by Shantré Pinkney

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