U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics

September 2017, NCJ 250652

Todd D. Minton, BJS Statistician
Susan Brumbaugh and Harley Rohloff, RTI International

A

n estimated 10,400 American Indian and
Alaska Native (AIAN) inmates were held
in local jails at midyear 2014, up from an
estimated 5,500 at midyear 1999 (figure 1, table 1).1
At midyear 2014, AIAN inmates accounted for
1.4% of all (744,600) local jail inmates (figure 2).
The percentage of AIAN inmates held in local jails
remained stable from 2006 to 2014.
Data in this report are from the Census of Jails (1999
and 2013), Census of Jail Inmates (2005), and Annual
Survey of Jails (2000-2014). The report also uses
data from the National Inmate Survey (2011-12) to
examine the characteristics of adult AIAN inmates
held in local jails. The report provides state and
national level estimates and examines jail inmates by
race and Hispanic origin.
1Based

on a single race and excludes persons of Hispanic or Latino
origin. See Reporting of race and Hispanic origin data text box on
page 8.

Figure 1
American Indian and Alaska Natives in local jails,
1999, 2005, and 2010–2014
Number of inmates
12,000

Percent of inmates
1.6

Number

Percent

9,000

1.2

6,000

0.8

3,000

0.4

0

1999** 2005** 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014*

0.0

*Comparison year.
**Difference with comparison year in the number of inmates is
significant at the 95% confidence level.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear
2010–2014; Census of Jails, midyear 1999; and Census of Jail Inmates,
midyear 2005.

HIGHLIGHTS
„„ At midyear 2014, an estimated 10,400 American

Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) inmates were held
in local jails, nearly double the number held in
1999 (5,500).
„„ From 1999 to 2014, the number of AIAN jail inmates

increased by an average of 4.3% per year, compared
to an increase of 1.4% per year for all other
races combined.
„„ Between 1999 and 2013, the AIAN jail incarceration

rate increased from 288 to 398 AIAN inmates per
100,000 AIAN U.S. residents.

„„ An estimated 71% of adult AIAN jail inmates were

age 39 or younger.
„„ Nearly a quarter (24%) of AIAN jail inmates were

held for a violent offense.
„„ AIAN jail inmates were equally as likely as adult

inmates of other races and Hispanic origin to be
held for a violent sexual offense (about 5% each).
„„ About 12% of the adult AIAN jail population were

drug offenders, which was significantly lower
than adult jail inmates of other races and Hispanic
origin (24%).

Bul l etin

American Indian and Alaska Natives
in Local Jails, 1999-2014

Figure 2
Inmates of races and Hispanic origin other than American
Indians and Alaska Natives in local jails, 1999, 2005, and
2010-2014
Number of inmates
800,000
Number
640,000

Percent of inmates
100

Percent

99.5

480,000

99.0

320,000

98.5

160,000

98.0

0

1999**

2005

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014*

97.5

*Comparison year.
**Difference with comparison year in the number of inmates is significant at the
95% confidence level.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2010–2014;
Census of Jails, midyear 1999; and Census of Jail Inmates, midyear 2005.

Local jail facilities include confinement facilities administered
by local or regional law enforcement agencies and private
facilities operated under contract to such agencies. They
exclude jails administered by federal, state prison, or tribal
authorities. This analysis includes 15 locally operated jails in
Alaska, but excludes the combined jails and prison systems
in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island,
and Vermont. In addition to the 10,400 AIAN inmates held
in local jails, 21,600 were held in state and federal prisons in
2014. (See the text box More than 34,000 American Indian and
Alaska Natives were held in local jails and in state and federal
prisons in 2014.)
The number of AIANs held in local jails nearly
doubled from 1999 to 2014
While AIAN inmates made up a small proportion of the jail
population, the number of AIAN inmates held in county
and city jails increased nearly 90% from 1999 to 2014.
Non-Hispanic white inmates accounted for 47% of the jail
population in 2014, up from 41% in 1999.2 In comparison,
the percentage of non-Hispanic black inmates held in local
jails declined from 42% in 1999 to 35% in 2014. Hispanics
accounted for 15% of the jail population, which was
unchanged from 1999 to 2014.
2See Jail Inmates in 2015, NCJ 250394, BJS web, December 2016.

Table 1
Estimated number and percent of inmates in local jails, by race and Hispanic origin, 1999–2000 and 2005–2014
Total
Year
1999
2000
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2013b
2014*
Average annual changec
1999–2005
2005–2010
2010–2014
1999–2014

Number
605,900**
621,100**
747,500
765,800**
780,200**
785,500**
767,400**
748,700
735,600
744,500
731,200
731,600
744,600

Percent
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
3.6%**
0.0
-0.1
1.4**

American Indian and Alaska Nativea
Number
Percent
5,500**
0.9%
5,500**
0.9
7,600**
1.0
8,400
1.1
8,600
1.1
9,000
1.1
9,400
1.2
9,900
1.3
9,400
1.3
9,300
1.2
10,200
1.4
8,800
1.2
10,400
1.4

All other races and Hispanic origin
Number
Percent
600,400**
99.1%
615,600**
99.1
739,900
99.0
757,400**
98.9
771,500**
98.9
776,600**
98.9
758,100**
98.8
738,800
98.7
726,200
98.7
735,300
98.8
721,000
98.6
722,800
98.7
734,200
98.6

5.5%**
5.4**
1.2
4.3**

3.5%**
0.0
-0.2
1.4**

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Excludes jails in Indian country, jails under federal jurisdiction, and combined jail and prison systems in Alaska, Connecticut,
Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Includes 15 locally operated jails in Alaska. Data are adjusted for survey and item nonresponse. Unless noted, data are based
on the number of inmates held on the last weekday in June. See appendix table 1 for reported data, appendix table 2 for standard errors, and appendix table 3 for confidence
intervals.
*Comparison year.
**Difference with comparison year is significant at the 95% confidence level.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.
bData are based on the number of inmates held on December 31, 2013.
cComparisons for significance tests were based on each year group.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2000 and midyear 2006–2014; Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear 2005; and
Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013.

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From midyear 1999 to midyear 2014, the number of AIAN
inmates held in local jails grew by an average of 4.3% each
year, compared to an increase of 1.4% per year for all other
races and Hispanic origin combined. The average annual
growth of AIAN inmates from 1999 to 2005 was 5.5% and
5.4% from 2005 to 2010. In comparison, the number of jail
inmates of all other races and Hispanic origin grew an average
of 3.5% each year from 1999 to 2005, and remained stable
from midyear 2005 to midyear 2014.
The majority of AIAN jail inmates were held in the
Midwest and West
AIAN inmates made up 0.2% of all inmates in the Northeast,
0.4% in the South, 2.1% in the Midwest, and 3.0% in the
West on December 31, 2013 (the latest year for which statelevel data were available) (not shown). AIAN inmates were
held in local jails in nearly every state on December 31,
2013. About 80% of these inmates were held in jurisdictions
located in the Midwest and West in 1999, 2005, and 2013
(figure 3, table 2).

From 1999 to 2013, jails in Arizona reported the largest
increase in the percentage of AIANs held in local jails,
from 8% of the Arizona jail population in 1999 to 11% by
yearend 2013. In comparison, jails in California reported
the largest decline in percentages, from 9% in 1999 to 6% by
yearend 2013.
Based on the absolute jail population at yearend 2013, New
Mexico jails held the greatest number of AIAN inmates
(1,180), followed by jails in seven states that held at least 500
AIAN inmates: Arizona (970), Oklahoma (850), South Dakota
(670), Washington (620), California (550), Wisconsin (540),
and Minnesota (500). Eight states held fewer than 10 AIAN
inmates at yearend 2013: Massachusetts (9), Mississippi (9),
Ohio (7), New Hampshire (6), Georgia (6), West Virginia (3),
and Alabama (1). The District of Columbia reported holding
no AIAN inmates at yearend 2013.

Figure 3
American Indian and Alaska Natives in local jails, by region, 1999, 2005, and 2013
1999
2005
2013

Percent
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear 2005; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on
Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013.

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Table 2
American Indian and Alaska Natives in local jails, by jurisdiction, 1999, 2005, and 2013
Region and jurisdiction
U.S. total
Northeast
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Midwest
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin
South
Alabama
Arkansas
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
West
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

1999a
5,500
160
20
20
6
20
90
10
1,530
20
10
30
40
70
380
3
90
180
10
310
380
760
20
9
0
8
6
3
3
4
20
170
430
20
10
50
10
0
3,050
30
450
490
110
110
300
70
660
80
140
530
80

Number
2005a
7,600
240
10
20
3
100
60
40
1,980
5
10
30
70
80
470
10
160
230
6
430
470
1,230
20
5
1
20
6
10
7
9
70
240
740
20
10
80
10
1
4,120
30
820
590
120
120
530
100
810
100
200
590
120

2013b
8,800
200
20
9
6
20
100
50
2,480
30
20
50
60
100
500
10
150
340
7
670
540
1,420
1
10
0
30
6
10
40
10
9
340
850
10
10
30
30
3
4,680
30
970
550
90
140
460
120
1,180
100
300
620
130

1999a
100%
2.9%
0.4
0.4
0.1
0.4
1.6
0.2
27.8%
0.4
0.2
0.5
0.7
1.3
6.9
0.1
1.6
3.3
0.2
5.6
6.9
13.8%
0.4
0.2
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.4
3.1
7.8
0.4
0.2
0.9
0.2
0.0
55.5%
0.5
8.2
8.9
2.0
2.0
5.5
1.3
12.0
1.5
2.5
9.6
1.5

Percent
2005a
100%
3.2%
0.1
0.3
0.0
1.3
0.8
0.5
26.1%
0.1
0.1
0.4
0.9
1.1
6.2
0.1
2.1
3.0
0.1
5.7
6.2
16.2%
0.3
0.1
0.0
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.9
3.2
9.7
0.3
0.1
1.1
0.1
0.0
54.2%
0.4
10.8
7.8
1.6
1.6
7.0
1.3
10.7
1.3
2.6
7.8
1.6

2013b
100%
2.3%
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
1.1
0.6
28.2%
0.3
0.2
0.6
0.7
1.1
5.7
0.1
1.7
3.9
0.1
7.6
6.1
16.1%
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.5
0.1
0.1
3.9
9.7
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.3
0.0
53.2%
0.3
11.0
6.3
1.0
1.6
5.2
1.4
13.4
1.1
3.4
7.0
1.5

Note: Excludes jails in Indian country, jails under federal jurisdiction, and combined jail and prison systems in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and
Vermont. Includes 15 locally operated jails in Alaska. Data are adjusted for survey and item nonresponse. The number of American Indian and Alaska Natives held in local jails
excludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. State data are adjusted for item nonresponse and rounded to the nearest 10, except in states with an inmate populations of less
than 10. The U.S. total is rounded to the nearest 100.
aData are based on the last weekday in June.
bData are based on the number of inmates held on December 31, 2013.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear 2005; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on
Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013.

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About 22% of jails held at least one AIAN inmate

A small number of inmates were held for tribal authorities

Approximately 700 local jail facilities (22% of all local
jails nationwide) held at least one AIAN inmate on
December 31, 2013 (figure 4). Ten facilities held more
than 100 AIAN inmates at yearend (ranging from
124 to 353 inmates). In 4 of these 10 facilities, AIAN inmates
made up more than 50% of their total population. In 2 of these
10 facilities, AIAN inmates made up less than 10% of their
total inmate population. Three of these 10 facilities held about
10% of all AIAN inmates held in the 700 local jail facilities:
San Juan County Adult Detention Center, New Mexico (353);
Maricopa County Jail System, Arizona (324); and Pennington
County Jail, South Dakota (262).

Fifty-three local jail facilities held approximately
540 inmates for tribal authorities on December 31, 2013.
Of these, 25 facilities held about 325 inmates for the
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and 28 facilities held about
215 inmates for AIAN tribal governments.3 The 540 inmates
held on behalf of tribal authorities made up a small portion of
both the 731,600 inmates held on December 31, 2013, and the
estimated 109,000 inmates held in local jails for all authorities
(including federal, state, and tribal authorities).

Of the approximately 700 facilities holding at least one AIAN
inmate on December 31, 2013, 4 facilities reported that AIANs
made up all of their inmate population (each of these facilities
reported holding fewer than 10 inmates), 40 facilities reported
that AIANs made up at least half of their inmate population,
and 64 facilities reported AIANs made up at least a third
of their inmate population. In comparison, 216 facilities
reported that AIAN inmates made up less than 1% of their
inmate population.

The AIAN jail incarceration rate continued to increase
At yearend 2013, local jails in the United States incarcerated
237 persons per 100,000 residents of all ages and races
and Hispanic ethnicity. This was a slight increase from
1999 (228 per 100,000), but a decline from 259 persons per
100,000 residents in 2005 (table 3). For AIANs (single race,
not of Hispanic or Latino origin), the jail incarceration rate
in 2013 (398 per 100,000 AIAN U.S. residents) was higher
than the national rate.4 Though the national incarceration
rate decreased from 2005 to 2013, the AIAN incarceration
rate increased from 359 in 2005 to 398 in 2013. While AIANs
3Inmates
4

held for the BIA and tribal governments were typically AIAN.
Based on a single race and excludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

Figure 4
Geographic distribution of local jail facilities holding American Indian and Alaska Native inmates, December 31, 2013

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction, 2013.

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Table 3
Local jail inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents, by race and Hispanic origin and jurisdiction, 1999, 2005, and 2013
Region and jurisdiction
U.S. total
Northeast
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Midwest
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin
South
Alabama
Arkansas
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
West
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

1999a
228
193
89
174
133
207
184
225
154
139
215
104
165
158
105
127
131
93
148
145
239
297
261
189
318
338
422
262
586
212
321
174
201
226
358
289
265
138
224
:
216
233
222
224
172
271
300
189
189
183
210

Total
2005a
259
197
117
197
132
202
153
277
187
157
280
123
252
179
137
180
176
148
173
185
258
343
332
220
645
358
496
402
704
221
391
198
270
287
406
291
349
224
242
:
261
227
292
265
242
294
442
180
273
202
305

2013b
237
183
132
154
139
171
137
287
176
160
253
130
237
165
118
189
186
171
157
199
212
309
322
291
378
268
417
437
669
194
448
188
329
228
410
250
347
217
216
:
210
214
221
207
282
244
427
143
247
174
251

American Indian and Alaska Native*
1999a
2005a
2013b
288
359
398
158
218
178
304
169
276
190
199
74
247
109
215
113
802
131
165
104
168
80
220
263
429
522
618
85
27
145
89
78
154
428
414
538
173
314
257
135
153
170
693
838
866
16
54
54
668
1,081
977
606
691
912
49
28
33
521
649
944
870
997
1,085
130
182
185
128
71
4
70
29
63
0
82
0
17
37
56
37
32
25
59
162
126
18
29
139
30
65
86
200
524
63
177
234
307
169
262
271
163
118
77
107
79
73
89
98
39
62
61
150
0
31
77
352
438
506
:
:
:
196
309
361
255
312
332
430
361
264
803
693
793
540
901
743
248
383
475
428
450
660
204
240
225
529
718
1,079
572
641
682
780
1,064
1,040

All other races and Hispanic origin
1999a
2005a
2013b
228
258
236
193
197
183
88
117
131
174
197
155
132
132
139
207
201
171
184
154
137
225
277
287
153
185
173
139
157
160
215
281
253
104
122
129
165
251
237
159
179
165
98
129
110
127
181
190
127
169
179
67
118
130
148
173
157
112
141
131
234
252
204
299
344
310
262
333
324
190
222
293
319
646
379
339
359
268
422
497
418
262
402
437
589
708
672
212
222
194
321
390
449
174
197
187
203
271
334
226
288
228
358
407
411
290
292
251
266
350
348
138
225
217
222
239
213
:
:
:
217
258
204
233
227
214
221
292
221
218
260
201
148
198
252
271
293
242
287
441
405
189
179
142
185
268
239
177
195
167
197
288
235

Note: Excludes jails in Indian country, jails under federal jurisdiction and combined jail and prison systems in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
:Not calculated for 15 locally operated jails in Alaska due to low population counts.
*Excludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin and persons of two of more races.
aData are based on the last weekday in June.
bData are based on the number of inmates held on December 31, 2013.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear 2005; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on
Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013. Residential populations are based on Intercensal Estimates of the Resident Population for 1999, 2005, and 2013.

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in the U.S. resident population grew 16% from 1999 to 2013.
the number of AIANs held in local jails increased 60%, which
resulted in the higher incarceration rate in 2013.
Wisconsin had the highest AIAN jail incarceration rate
in 2013. From 1999 to 2013, its rate increased 25%, from
870 to 1,085 per 100,000 AIAN Wisconsin residents. The
number of AIAN inmates held in Wisconsin jails increased
42% (160 inmates) during the same period, while its AIAN
resident population increased by 15%. At yearend 2013, five
other states had an AIAN jail incarceration rate of at least
900 per 100,000 residents of all ages: Utah (1,079 per 100,000),
Wyoming (1,040), Nebraska, (977), South Dakota (944), and
North Dakota (912). From 1999 to 2013, Utah's incarceration
rate increased 104%, from 529 to 1,079. The number of
AIAN inmates held in Utah jails increased 114% (up 160
inmates) during the same period, while its AIAN resident
population increased by 7%. From 1999 to 2013, Wyoming's
incarceration rate increased 33%, from 780 to 1,040. The
number of AIAN inmates held in Wyoming jails increased
63% (up 50 inmates) during the same period, while its AIAN
resident population increased by 23%. In all, 13 states had a
higher AIAN incarceration rate than the national AIAN jail
incarceration rate (398 per 100,000).

From 1999 to 2013, of the 31 states whose AIAN jail
incarceration rate increased, 22 states also experienced an
increase in the incarceration rate among inmates of Hispanic
origin and all other races other than AIAN. Among the
13 states that had a decrease in the AIAN jail incarceration
rate, eight experienced an increase in the jail incarceration rate
among inmates of Hispanic origin and all other races other
than AIAN.
At yearend 2013, jails in the Midwest (618 per 100,000
AIAN Midwest residents) and West (506) had a higher
AIAN jail incarceration rate than the national AIAN
jail incarceration rate (figure 5). A similar increase was
observed in the Midwest from 1999 (429 AIANs per
100,000 residents) to 2005 (522) and in the West from
1999 (352) to 2005 (438). Jails in the South and Northeast
both experienced increases in AIAN incarceration rates
between 1999 and 2005. The incarceration rate for AIANs
in Southern states was flat between 2005 and yearend 2013
(185 per 100,000 in 2013), while jails in the Northeast had
lower incarceration rates in 2013 (178 per 100,000).

Figure 5
Incarceration rates for American Indian and Alaska Native jail inmates, by region, 1999, 2005, and 2013
Number
800

1999
2005
2013

700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0

Total

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear 2005; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on
Inmates Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013.

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An estimated 71% of adult AIAN jail inmates were
age 39 or younger in 2011
Males made up 80% of adult AIAN jail inmates (single race,
not of Hispanic or Latino origin) in 2011, the most recent year
for which detailed survey data are available (table 4). Females
accounted for 20% of adult AIAN inmates. The proportions of
both AIAN males and females were significantly different than
the distribution of male (87%) and female (13%) inmates for
all other races and Hispanic origin. An estimated 71% of adult
AIAN jail inmates were age 39 or younger. Young adults (ages
18 to 24) accounted for about 20% of all adult AIAN inmates,
and 5% of AIAN inmates were age 55 or older. Except for
inmates ages 18 to 24, the age distribution of adult AIAN jail
inmates was not significantly different from all other races and
Hispanic origin combined.
In 2011, nearly a quarter (24%) of the AIAN jail inmates were
held for a violent offense, including 5% for a violent sexual
offense. AIAN jail inmates were equally as likely as adult jail
inmates of all other races and Hispanic origin to be held for
violent sexual offense. Drug offenders accounted for 12% of
the adult AIAN jail population, which was significantly lower
than all other inmates (24%). However, AIAN jail inmates were
more likely (14%) than all other inmates (6%) to be held for
a DWI/DUI of alcohol or drugs. The distribution of inmates
held for an other public order offense (about 1 in 10) was the
same for AIAN inmates and inmates of all other races and
Hispanic origin.

Reporting of race and Hispanic
origin data
For this report, the inmate count of American Indian and
Alaska Natives (AIAN) was based on race and Hispanic origin
and not on tribal membership. Except for table 5, the AIAN
jail population was based on a single race and excludes
persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. Table 5 compares
selected characteristics of AIAN jail inmates based on the
following four race and Hispanic origin categories in the
2011-12 National Inmate Survey (NIS-3):5
„„ AIAN, single race, not Hispanic or Latino origin
„„ AIAN, two or more races, not Hispanic or Latino origin
„„ AIAN, single race, Hispanic or Latino origin
„„ All AIAN jail inmates, including Hispanic and

non-Hispanic AIANs and single or multiple race AIANs.
5Excluded AIANs of two or more races who were of Hispanic or Latino
origin. These persons were not randomly selected for the NIS-3.

TABLE 4
Characteristics of adult inmates in local jails, by race and
Hispanic origin, 2011
Characteristic
Sex
Male
Female
Age
18–19
20–24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45–54
55 or older
Most serious offense
Violent sexualb
Other violentc
Propertyd
Druge
DWI/DUIf
Other public order offense
Other
Sentence length
Unsentenced
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 to 5 years
5 years or more
Prior incarceration as adult
or juvenile
Yes
No
Time in current facility since
admission
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 year or more
Total number of inmates

Total

American
Indian and
Alaska Nativea

All other races
and Hispanic
origin*

87.3%
12.7

80.1%**
19.9**

87.3%
12.7

5.6%
20.2
18.8
16.0
11.2
9.7
14.2
4.2

3.8%**
16.5**
20.9
15.8
14.2
9.3
14.5
5.0

5.6%
20.3
18.8
16.1
11.2
9.7
14.2
4.1

5.1%
16.8
25.3
23.5
5.6
8.7
14.9

4.7%
18.8
23.1
11.9**
13.6**
9.6
18.2

5.2%
16.8
25.4
23.7
5.5
8.6
14.8

53.3%
2.7
10.4
10.2
14.4
9.1

47.0%**
5.9
16.0**
10.8
14.0
6.3**

53.2%
2.7
10.3
10.2
14.4
9.2

71.3%
28.7

79.3%**
20.7**

71.3%
28.7

31.4%
47.3
13.0
8.4

40.5%**
45.4
8.9**
5.2**

31.4%
47.3
13.0
8.4

720,200

12,100

708,100

Note: The NIS-3 was conducted from February 2011 to May 2012. The NIS estimates
were ratio adjusted to the midyear 2011 population. See appendix table 4 for
standard errors.
*Comparison group.
**Difference with comparison group is significant at the 95% confidence level.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic and Latino origin.
bIncludes rape, statutory rape, sexual assault, child molestation, pornography, incest,
and indecent exposure.
cIncludes robbery, manslaughter, attempted murder, and murder.
dIncludes burglary, larceny, theft, auto theft, bad checks, fraud, forgery, arson, and
possession of stolen goods.
eIncludes possessing, selling, trafficking, importing, smuggling, and manufacturing
illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
fIncludes driving while intoxicated and driving while under the influence of drugs or
alcohol.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012.

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In 2011, about 8 in 10 adult AIAN jail inmates had been
previously incarcerated in jail, prison, or other correctional
facilities. This was higher than all other adult inmates (7 in
10). Adult AIAN jail inmates (53%) were also more likely than
all other adult inmates (47%) to be sentenced for their crime.
However, AIAN jail inmates (6%) were less likely than all
other adult inmates (9%) to be sentenced for 5 years or longer.
More adult AIAN inmates (16%) than all other adult inmates
(10%) were serving 30 days to 6 months. Nearly 4 in 10 adult
AIAN inmates were held in jail for 29 days or fewer since
admission, compared to about 3 in 10 inmates of all other races
and Hispanic origin combined.

The number of jail inmates reporting partial AIAN race was
six times greater than persons reporting sole AIAN race
In 2011, the AIAN adult jail population ranged from an
estimated 12,100 inmates (single race, non-Hispanic or
Latino origin) to 68,500 inmates (all AIAN jail inmates,
including Hispanic and non-Hispanic AIANs and AIANs of
single or multiple races) (table 5). (See Reporting of race and
Hispanic origin data text box for race classification detail.)
Of the estimated 68,500 AIAN adult jail inmates, 12,600
were Hispanic or Latino of a single race and 43,800 were
non-Hispanic or Latino origin of two or more races.

TABLE 5
Characteristics of adult American Indian and Alaska Native jail inmates, 2011
Characteristic
Sex
Male
Female
Age
18–19
20–24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45–54
55 or older
Most serious offense
Violent sexual offensea
Other violentb
Propertyc
Drugd
DWI/DUIe
Other public order offense
Other
Sentence length
Unsentenced
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 to 5 years
5 years or more
Prior incarceration as adult or juvenile
Yes
No
Time in current facility since admission
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 year or more

Total

Total number of inmates

Single race*

Non-Hispanic
Two or more races

Hispanic origin,
single race

84.4%
15.6

80.1%
19.9

85.1%
14.9

86.2%
13.8

6.0%
19.7
18.4
15.7
11.4
9.5
14.8
4.5

3.8%
16.5
20.9
15.8
14.2
9.3
14.5
5.0

6.2%**
20.9**
17.1
15.4
11.1
9.8
14.9
4.4

7.3%**
18.1
20.5
16.8
9.8**
8.5
14.7
4.4

6.8%
18.1
25.6
19.2
6.0
8.8
15.4

4.7%
18.8
23.1
11.9
13.6
9.6
18.2

7.6%**
17.3
26.7
21.8**
3.7**
8.5
14.5

5.8%
20.5
23.8
17.1**
6.9**
9.6
16.4

51.1%
3.9
11.2
9.8
15.3
8.7

47.0%
5.9
16.0
10.8
14.0
6.3

52.5%
2.8
10.4**
9.3
15.9
9.1

50.4%
5.7
9.6**
10.6
14.2
9.5

75.2%
24.8

79.3%
20.7

75.8%
24.2

69.1%**
30.8**

33.1%
47.0
11.7
8.2

40.5%
45.4
8.9
5.2

30.9%**
48.6
11.5
9.0**

33.5%**
43.3
14.7**
8.4

68,500

12,100

43,800

12,600

Note: The NIS-3 was conducted from February 2011 to May 2012. The NIS estimates were ratio adjusted to the midyear 2011 population. See appendix table 5 for standard
errors.
*Comparison group.
**Difference with comparison group is significant at the 95% confidence level.
aIncludes rape, statutory rape, sexual assault, child molestation, pornography, incest, and indecent exposure.
bIncludes robbery, manslaughter, attempted murder, and murder.
cIncludes burglary, larceny, theft, auto theft, bad checks, fraud, forgery, arson, and possession of stolen goods.
dIncludes possessing, selling, trafficking, importing, smuggling, and manufacturing illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
eIncludes driving while intoxicated and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012.

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Combined, males made up 84% of all AIAN adult jail inmates,
which was similar across all the AIAN race and Hispanic origin
categories. Regardless of the race and Hispanic origin of adult
AIAN inmates, nearly 29% were age 40 or older. In comparison,
nearly 4% of single race AIAN non-Hispanic inmates were ages
18 to 19. This was significantly smaller than non-Hispanics
AIANs of two or more races (6%) and Hispanics of single race
AIAN inmates (7%).
Non-Hispanic AIAN inmates of two or more races were more
likely to be held for a violent sexual offense (8%) or a drug law
violation (22%) than single race, non-Hispanic AIAN inmates.

Similarly, Hispanic single race AIAN inmates were more likely
to be held for a drug law violation (17%). Combined, 9% of all
AIAN adult jail inmates were held for a public order offense,
18% were held for a violent offense other than sexual violence,
and 26% were held in jail for a property crime.
About half (51%) of all AIAN inmates were unsentenced, 4%
were serving less than 30 days, and 34% were serving 6 months
or more. Non-Hispanic AIAN inmates of a single race were
more likely to serve 30 days to 6 months (16%) than nonHispanic AIAN inmates of two or more races and Hispanic
AIAN inmates of a single race (10% each).

More than 34,000 American Indian and Alaska Natives were held in local jails and
in state and federal prisons in 2014
The number of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN)
(single race, not of Hispanic or Latino origin) incarcerated in
jail or prison reached an estimated 34,400 in 2014, up 72%
from 20,000 in 1999 (table 6). In 2014, nearly two-thirds
(21,600) were held in state (17,900) and federal (3,700) prison.
The remaining 12,780 AIANs were held in local jails (10,400)
and Indian country jails (2,380). Some AIAN inmates held
in local jails may have been adjudicated by a tribal criminal
justice system and housed in jails under contracts with tribal,
city, or county governments.
From 1999 to 2014, the number of AIAN inmates held in jails
and prisons nationwide grew by an annual average of about
3.7%. The largest average annual growth was observed in
federal prisons (up 5.2%), followed by local jails (up 4.3%),
state prisons (up 3.2%), and Indian country jails (up 2.6%).
The AIAN population in federal prison more than doubled
(up 113%) from 1,740 in 1999 to about 3,700 in 2014. The
number of AIAN inmates held in local jails increased nearly
90% from 1999 to 2014, compared to state prisons (up 61%)
and Indian country jails (up 47%).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 2.3 million
non-Hispanic AIANs lived in the United States in 2014, up
from 2 million in 1999.6 The AIAN population accounted for
less than 1% of the U.S. resident population. The number
of AIANs held in U.S. jails or prisons accounted for 1% of all
inmates held in jail or prison in 1999 and 1.6% in 2014.
The incarceration rate for AIANs was higher than the overall
national incarceration rate. In 2014, federal, state, local, and
tribal correctional facilities held about 1,460 AIAN inmates
per 100,000 AIAN U.S. residents, up 50% from a rate of about
980 per 100,000 AIAN in 1999 (not shown). The incarceration
rate among inmates of Hispanic origin and all other races
other than AIAN remained relatively stable from 1999 (690) to
2014 (680). While the general population increased at similar
rates (16% for AIAN and 17% for all other races and Hispanic
origin), the number of AIANs incarcerated in jail and prison
increased 72% from 1999 to 2014, compared to 15% among
inmates of Hispanic origin and all other races combined.
6Includes

race alone and excludes Hispanic or Latino origin.

TABLE 6
American Indian and Alaska Natives in jail and prison, 1999, 2005, and 2014
Type of facility
Total
Local jailsa
Jails in Indian countrya
State prisonsb
Federal prisonsb

1999
20,000
5,500**
1,620
11,100
1,740

Number
2005
27,300
7,600**
1,810
14,700
3,200

2014*
34,400
10,400
2,380
17,900
3,700

Percent of American Indian
and Alaska Native inmates
1999
2005
2014
100%
100%
100%
27.5%
27.8%
30.2%
8.1
6.6
6.9
55.5
53.8
52.0
8.7
11.7
10.8

Percent change in number of American
Indian and Alaska Native inmates
1999–2005 2005–2014 1999–2014
36.5%
26.0%
72.0%
38.2%
36.8%
89.1%
11.7
31.5
46.9
32.4
21.8
61.3
83.9
15.6
112.6

Average
annual change,
1999–2014
3.7%
4.3%
2.6
3.2
5.2

Note: Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Local jail data are based on a sample survey and are subject to sampling error. The 2005 Indian country jail population
was estimated based on the average annual population change for jails reporting in both 2004 and 2007. Excludes 64 AIAN inmates held in Federal Bureau of Prison
detention centers at yearend 2013.
*Comparison year on local jails.
**Difference with comparison year is significant at the 95% confidence level.
aData are based on the number of inmates held on the last weekday in June.
bState and federal prison data are based on the number of inmates held on December 31.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2014; Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear 2005; Survey of Jails in Indian
Country, midyear 1999 and 2014; and the National Prisoners Statistics program, yearend 1999, 2005, and 2014.

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Methodology
Census of Jails
The Bureau of Justice Statistics' (BJS) Census of Jails is part
of a series of data collections that describes the nation’s local
jail inmates and facility characteristics and is a complete
enumeration of the more than 3,100 local jails in the United
States. Because the census is a complete enumeration, the
results are not subject to sampling error. The census supplies
the sampling frame for BJS's Annual Survey of Jails, the Survey
of Inmates in Local Jails, and the National Inmate Survey.
Data from Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities that
function as jails are included in the census. Locally operated
jails in Alaska, which hold inmates beyond arraignment and
are staffed by municipal or county employees, are included in
the census. Local jails are intended for adults but sometimes
hold juveniles. The census excludes temporary holding
facilities, such as drunk tanks and police lockups, that do
not hold persons after they are formally charged in court
(usually within 72 hours of arrest). The census also excludes
state-operated facilities in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware,
Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont, which have combined
jail-prison systems, and are counted in BJS's prison collections.

inmate population and 5% for inmate race or Hispanic origin.
Detailed information on the 2013 Census of Jails methodology,
survey nonresponse, imputation, and weighting procedures
is available in Census of Jails: Population Changes, 1999–2013
(NCJ 248627, BJS web, December 2015). For this report, BJS
re-estimated the race data for 18 facilities that imputation
procedures erroneously inflated the American Indian and
Alaska Native inmate population. For these 18 facilities, BJS
applied the racial distribution reported in the most recent
Annual Survey of Jails or Census of Jails closest to the 2013
census to the total confined inmate population reported in the
2013 Census of Jails.
2005 Census of Jail Inmates

„„

number of confined inmates and persons under the
supervision of jail authorities but not confined in jail

„„

number of inmates participating in weekend programs

„„

number of confined non-U.S. citizens

„„

number of confined inmates by sex and adult or juvenile
status

„„

number of juveniles held as adults

„„

conviction and sentencing status

„„

offense type

„„

number of inmates held by race or Hispanic origin

The 2005 Census of Jail Inmates included all locally
administered confinement facilities under the authority of
2,853 local jurisdictions, 42 privately operated jails under
contract for local governments, and 65 multi-jurisdiction jails
administered by two or more local governments. Thirteen
facilities maintained by the BOP and functioning as jails were
included in the census but excluded from the report. All jail
jurisdictions responded to the census, resulting in a 100%
response rate. Missing item-level response for inmate race or
Hispanic origin was 5%. For this report, to provide national
and state estimates of race, BJS estimated race data for 139
facilities that reported their total confined inmate population,
but not race data. For 40 facilities, BJS applied the racial
distribution reported in the most recent Annual Survey of
Jails or Census of Jails closest to the 2005 census to the total
confined inmate population reported in the 2005 Census of
Jail Inmates. For 99 facilities that did not report race breakout
in a recent data collection, BJS summed the reported and
estimated (40 facilities) item values and then multiplied them
by a nonresponse adjustment factor (NAF). The NAF was
calculated as a ratio of the total number of inmates in all jails
by state to the number of inmates in jails by state reported and
estimated race data. For additional methodology information,
see Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 2005 (NCJ 213133, BJS
web, May 2006).

„„

number of inmates held for other jurisdictions or authorities

1999 Census of Jails

„„

average daily population

„„

rated capacity

„„

number of admissions and releases

„„

program participation for nonconfined inmates

„„

operating expenditures

„„

staff by occupational category and race or Hispanic origin.

The 1999 Census of Jails included all locally administered
confinement facilities under the authority of 3,084 local
jurisdictions. Of these jurisdictions in the final universe,
251 provided information on critical data items only. Data
from six jurisdictions that did not respond to any items on
the questionnaire were imputed based on previous survey
and census reports. Missing item-level response for inmate
race or Hispanic origin was 14%. For this report, to provide
national and state total estimates of race, BJS estimated race
data for 370 facilities that reported their total confined inmate
population, but not race data. For 306 facilities, BJS applied the
racial distribution reported in the most recent Annual Survey
of Jails or Census of Jails closest to the 1999 census to the total
confined inmate population reported in the 1999 Census of Jail
Inmates. For 64 facilities that did not report race breakout in a
recent data collection, BJS summed the reported and estimated

The Census of Jails collects facility-level information on the—

2013 Census of Jails
The 2013 census included all locally administered
confinement facilities (3,163) under the authority of 2,872
local jurisdictions. However, the results were affected by unit
and item nonresponse. The unit-level response rate for the
census was 92.4%. Missing item-level response was 1% for the

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(306 facilities) item values and then multiplied them by a
NAF. The NAF was calculated as a ratio of the total number
of inmates in all jails by state to the number of inmates in
jails by state reported and estimated race data. For additional
methodology information, see Census of Jails, 1999 (NCJ
186633, BJS web, August 2001).
Annual Survey of Jails
The ASJ is a sample survey that provides an annual source
of aggregate data on local jails and jail inmates. The survey
estimates characteristics of the nation’s jails and inmates
housed in these jails. Data are collected on admissions and
releases, number and percentage changes of jail jurisdictions,
rated capacities and levels of occupancy, population supervised
in the community, methods of community supervision,
and crowding issues. The ASJ captures aggregated counts
by race and sex, but not race by sex of inmate. The number
of American Indians and Alaska Natives held in local jails
excludes persons of Hispanic origin. Detailed information
on the 2007 through 2014 ASJ methodology, including the
survey nonresponse, imputation, and weighting procedures
is available in the Jail Inmates at Midyear series. For 2000
and 2006 information, see Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear
2000 (NCJ 185989, BJS web, March 2001) and Prison and Jail
Inmates at Midyear 2006 (NCJ 217675, BJS web, June 2007).
National Inmate Survey
The report uses data from the 2011-12 National Inmate Survey
(NIS-3) to examine the characteristics of adult AIAN inmates
held in local jails. The NIS-3 is part of BJS's National Prison
Rape Statistics Program, which collects reports of sexual
victimization from administrative records and allegations of
sexual victimization directly from victims through surveys of
inmates in prisons and jails. BJS implemented this program to
meet the requirements of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of
2003 (P.L. 108-79). The inmate surveys contain a wide range
of data beyond measures of sexual victimization, including
items useful for describing inmates held in the state and federal
prisons and local jails and their confinement experiences.
BJS conducted NIS-3 in 233 state and federal prisons, 358
jails, and 15 special facilities (military, Indian country, and
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)) between
February 2011 and May 2012. The NIS-3 comprised two
questionnaires—a survey of sexual victimization and a survey
of mental and physical health, past drug and alcohol use,
and treatment for substance abuse. Inmates were randomly
assigned to receive one of the questionnaires, and the content
of the survey remained unknown to facility staff and the
interviewers at the time of the interview.
A total of 106,532 inmates participated in NIS-3. Combined,
the victimization survey and the randomly assigned
companion survey included 43,721 inmates in state and
federal prisons, 61,351 inmates in jails, 605 inmates in military
facilities, 192 inmates in Indian country jails, and 663 inmates
in facilities operated by ICE.

Selection of jail facilities
In designing NIS-3, BJS selected a sample of 393 jails to
represent the 2,957 jail facilities identified in the Census of Jail
Inmates, 2005, and supplemented the sample with information
obtained during the NIS-1 and NIS-2. The 2005 census was
a complete enumeration of all jail jurisdictions, including
all publicly operated and privately operated facilities under
contract to jail authorities. The NIS-3 was restricted to jails that
had six or more inmates on June 30, 2005. Jails identified as
closed or ineligible during the NIS-1 and NIS-2 were removed
from the NIS-3 frame. Based on estimates from the 2011 ASJ,
jails in the NIS-3 held an estimated 720,171 inmates age 18 or
older and 5,700 inmates ages 16 to 17 on June 30, 2011.
Selection of inmates within jails
For NIS-3, BJS obtained a roster of inmates immediately
prior to the start of data collection at each facility. Inmates
age 15 or younger and inmates who had not been arraigned
were removed from the roster. Eligible inmates within a
facility were placed into one of two stratum based on their age.
Inmates who were ages 16 to 17 (juveniles) were placed in one
stratum and inmates age 18 or older (adults) were placed in the
other. Inmates age 15 or younger were considered ineligible for
the NIS-3.
Selection of adult inmates within jails
The number of adult inmates sampled in each facility varied
based on six criteria:
„„

an expected 3% sexual victimization prevalence rate

„„

a desired level of precision based on a standard error of 1.4%

„„

a projected 65% response rate among selected inmates

„„

a 10% chance among participating inmates of not receiving
the sexual victimization questionnaire

„„

an adjustment factor of 1.9 to account for the complex
survey design

„„

a pre-arraignment adjustment factor equal to 1 in facilities
where the status was known for all inmates and less than 1 in
facilities where only the overall proportion of inmates who
were pre-arraigned was known.

Each eligible adult inmate was assigned a random number
and sorted in ascending order. Inmates were selected from
the list up to the expected number of inmates determined
by the sampling criteria. Due to the dynamic nature of jail
populations, a second roster of inmates was obtained on the
first day of data collection. Eligible adult inmates who appeared
on the second roster but who had not appeared on the initial
roster were identified. These inmates had been arraigned since
the initial roster was created or were newly admitted to the
facility and arraigned. A random sample of the new inmates
was chosen using the same probability of selection used to
sample from the first roster.

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Methods for adjusting for survey nonresponse and coverage
error are described in detail in Sexual Victimization in Prisons
and Jails as Reported by Inmates, 2011–12 (NCJ 241399,
BJS web, May 2013).
Survey of Jails in Indian Country
The annual Survey of Jails in Indian Country (SJIC) provides
a source of data on Indian country jails and jail inmates,
including counts, movements, facility operations, and staff.
In selected years (1998, 2004, 2007, and 2011), additional
information was collected on facility programs and services,
such as medical assessments and mental health screening
procedures, inmate work assignments, counseling, and
educational programs.
The enumeration includes all Indian country correctional
facilities operated by tribal authorities or the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, to describe adult and
juvenile jail facilities and detention centers in Indian country.
For this report, Indian country included reservations, pueblos,
rancherias, and other appropriate areas (18 U.S.C. § 1151).
The number of Indian country jail facilities increased from
68 at midyear 1999 to 79 facilities at midyear 2014. Detailed
information on the 1999-2014 SJIC methodology, survey
nonresponse, and procedures is available in the Jails in Indian
Country series on the BJS website.
National Prisoner Statistics program
The National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) program collects
annual data on prisoners at yearend. Prior to 2011, the NPS
gathered custody population by race at midyear. BJS depends
entirely on voluntary participation of state departments of
corrections and BOP for NPS data.
The NPS distinguishes between inmates in custody and
prisoners under jurisdiction. To have custody of a prisoner, a
state or the BOP must hold that inmate in one of its facilities.

To have jurisdiction over a prisoner, the state or BOP must
have legal authority over that prisoner, regardless of where
the prisoner is incarcerated or supervised. Some states were
unable to provide counts that distinguish between custody
and jurisdiction.
The NPS jurisdiction counts include persons held in prisons,
penitentiaries, correctional facilities, halfway houses, boot
camps, farms, training or treatment centers, and hospitals.
Counts also include prisoners who were temporarily absent
(less than 30 days), in court, or on work release; housed in
privately operated facilities, local jails, or other state or federal
facilities; and serving concurrent sentences for more than one
correctional authority.
For table 6, the 1999 and 2005 state and federal prison data
are based on the custody population at midyear, and the 2014
data are based on the yearend custody population. For this
report, the state and federal custody prison population for
2014 is estimated based on the ratio of the custody count to
the jurisdiction count from the 2010 NPS, and applied to the
2014 jurisdiction population by race. Detailed information on
the 1999-2014 NPS methodology, the survey nonresponse, and
procedures is available in the Prisoners series and Prison and
Jail Inmates series, which are both on the BJS website.
Additional notes for figures
Data for figures 1-5 exclude jails in Indian country; the federal
jurisdiction; and combined jail and prison systems in Alaska,
Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Figures include 15 locally operated jails in Alaska. Data are
adjusted for survey and item nonresponse. The number
of American Indians and Alaska Natives held in local jails
excludes persons of Hispanic origin. Unless noted for a specific
year, data are based on the number of inmates held on the last
weekday in June.

A M E R I C A N I N D I A N A N D A L A S K A N AT I V E S I N LO C A L J A I L S , 1999 - 2014 | S E P T E M B E R 2017	

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Appendix Table 1
Reported data for table 1: Estimated number and percent of
inmates in local jails, by race and Hispanic origin, 1999–2000
and 2005–2014
American Indian
and Alaska Native
4,519
4,974
7,270
8,052
8,347
8,638
8,328
8,223
8,527
8,292
8,793
7,521
9,285

Year
1999
2000
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2013
2014

All other races and
Hispanic origin
570,241
559,963
705,369
728,023
747,916
745,738
672,590
612,428
658,360
656,966
622,433
578,975
655,290

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2000 and
midyear 2006–2014; Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear
2005; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on Inmates
Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013.

Appendix Table 2
Standard errors for table 1: Estimated number and percent of
inmates in local jails, by race and Hispanic origin, 1999–2000
and 2005–2014
Year
1999
2000
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2013
2014

Total
~
2,504
~
3,552
3,720
4,016
4,231
5,430
6,009
7,684
8,042
~
8,382

American Indian
and Alaska Native
~
363
~
651
700
730
756
1,031
933
866
932
~
926

Appendix Table 3
Confidence intervals for table 1: Estimated number and
percent of inmates in local jails, by race and Hispanic origin,
1999–2000 and 2005–2014

Year
1999
2000
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2013
2014

Total
Lower
Upper
bound bound
~
~
616,242 626,058
~
~
758,858 772,782
772,879 787,461
777,659 793,401
759,137 775,723
738,087 759,373
723,822 747,378
729,459 759,581
715,438 746,962
~
~
728,172 761,028

American Indian
and Alaska Native
Lower
Upper
bound bound
~
~
4,789 6,211
~
~
7,123 9,677
7,228 9,972
7,569 10,431
7,918 10,882
7,879 11,921
7,571 11,229
7,603 10,997
8,373 12,027
~
~
8,585 12,215

All other races and
Hispanic origin
Lower
Upper
bound bound
~
~
609,434 621,766
~
~
749,919 764,881
763,781 779,219
768,511 784,689
748,601 767,599
727,530 750,070
713,801 738,599
719,689 750,911
704,616 737,384
~
~
717,730 750,670

Note: Confidence interval indicates that if different samples were drawn, values
would fall between the lower and upper bound estimates 95 out of 100 times.
~Not applicable. Data represent a complete enumeration based on a jail census.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2000 and
midyear 2006–2014; Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear
2005; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on Inmates
Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013.

All other races and
Hispanic origin
~
3,146
~
3,817
3,938
4,127
4,847
5,750
6,326
7,965
8,359
~
8,403

~Not applicable. Data represent a complete enumeration based on a jail census.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, midyear 2000 and
midyear 2006 –2014; Census of Jails, midyear 1999; Census of Jail Inmates, midyear
2005; and Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, Annual Summary on Inmates
Under Jail Jurisdiction, yearend 2013.

A M E R I C A N I N D I A N A N D A L A S K A N AT I V E S I N LO C A L J A I L S , 1999 - 2014 | S E P T E M B E R 2017	

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Appendix Table 4
Standard errors for table 4: Characteristics of adult inmates in local jails, by race and Hispanic origin, 2011–2012
Characteristic
Sex
Male
Female
Age
18–19
20–24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45–54
55 or older
Most serious offense
Violent sexual
Other violent
Property
Drug
DWI/DUI
Other public order offense
Other
Sentence length
Unsentenced
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 to 5 years
5 years or more
Prior incarceration as adult or juvenile
Yes
No
Time in current facility since admission
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 year or more

Total

American Indian and Alaska Native

All other races and Hispanic origin

0.74%
0.74

2.40%
2.40

0.74%
0.74

0.20%
0.30
0.28
0.26
0.20
0.19
0.34
0.16

0.84%
1.82
2.08
1.86
1.82
1.49
1.52
0.88

0.20%
0.30
0.28
0.26
0.20
0.19
0.34
0.16

0.21%
0.55
0.41
0.58
0.26
0.29
0.42

0.83%
1.88
2.42
1.57
2.66
1.50
2.09

0.21%
0.55
0.41
0.58
0.26
0.29
0.42

0.92%
0.17
0.40
0.36
0.48
0.46

2.95%
1.73
1.92
1.17
1.58
1.30

0.93%
0.17
0.40
0.36
0.48
0.46

0.41%
0.41

2.91%
2.91

0.41%
0.41

0.72%
0.52
0.40
0.45

2.54%
2.49
1.42
1.03

0.72%
0.52
0.40
0.45

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012.

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15

Appendix Table 5
Standard errors for table 5: Characteristics of adult American Indian and Alaska Native jail inmates, 2011–2012
Non-Hispanic
Characteristic
Sex
Male
Female
Age
18–19
20–24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45–54
55 or older
Most serious offense
Violent sexual
Other violent
Property
Drug
DWI/DUI
Other public order offense
Other
Sentence length
Unsentenced
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 to 5 years
5 years or more
Prior incarceration as adult or juvenile
Yes
No
Time in current facility since admission
29 days or fewer
30 days to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 year or more

Two or more races

Hispanic origin,
single race

Total

Single race

1.10%
1.10

2.40%
2.40

1.70%
1.70

2.17%
2.17

0.52%
0.79
0.82
0.69
0.61
0.57
0.78
0.43

0.84%
1.82
2.08
1.86
1.82
1.49
1.52
0.88

0.66%
0.97
1.04
0.90
0.69
0.72
0.90
0.51

1.37%
1.95
1.75
1.82
1.31
1.16
2.10
1.33

0.52%
0.86
1.03
0.94
0.72
0.69
0.94

0.83%
1.88
2.42
1.57
2.66
1.50
2.09

0.70%
1.01
1.31
1.17
0.46
0.71
1.08

1.20%
2.08
1.94
1.90
1.34
1.79
2.57

1.27%
0.56
0.78
0.64
0.99
0.63

2.95%
1.73
1.92
1.17
1.58
1.30

1.44%
0.40
0.82
0.83
1.24
0.74

2.89%
1.41
1.50
1.42
1.68
1.32

0.89%
0.89

2.91%
2.91

1.11%
1.11

2.34%
2.34

1.27%
1.16
0.73
0.69

2.54%
2.49
1.42
1.03

1.44%
1.41
0.89
0.93

2.01%
2.25
2.04
1.32

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012.

A M E R I C A N I N D I A N A N D A L A S K A N AT I V E S I N LO C A L J A I L S , 1999 - 2014 | S E P T E M B E R 2017	

16

The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal
federal agency responsible for measuring crime, criminal victimization, criminal
offenders, victims of crime, correlates of crime, and the operation of criminal
and civil justice systems at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels. BJS collects,
analyzes, and disseminates reliable and valid statistics on crime and justice
systems in the United States, supports improvements to state and local criminal
justice information systems, and participates with national and international
organizations to develop and recommend national standards for justice statistics.
Jeri M. Mulrow is acting director.
This report was written by Todd D. Minton of BJS and Susan Brumbaugh and
Harley Rohloff of RTI International. Zhen Zeng and Jennifer Bronson verified
the report.
Brigitte Coulton and Jill Thomas edited the report. Tina Dorsey produced
the report.
September 2017, NCJ 250652

NCJ250652

Office of Justice Programs
Building Solutions • Supporting Communities • Advancing Justice
www.ojp.usdoj.gov