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Mortality in Local Jails 2000-2019

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

December 2021, NCJ 301368

E. Ann Carson, Ph.D., BJS Statistician

A

total of 1,200 persons died in local
jails in 2019, a more than 5% increase
from 2018 (1,138 deaths) and a 33%
increase from 2000 (903), when the Bureau of
Justice Statistics (BJS) began its Mortality in
Correctional Institutions (MCI, formerly the
Deaths in Custody Reporting Program) data
collection. Te demographic and criminal justice
profle of jail decedents in 2019 was similar to
previous years. Te 2019 mortality rate was
higher for unconvicted (192 deaths per 100,000
jail inmates) than convicted (112 per 100,000)
inmates (fgure 1). In 2019, a total of 636 jail
jurisdictions reported at least one death, with
222 reporting two or more deaths.
Tis report describes deaths in local jails from
2000 to 2019, including the cause of death,
the location of death, decedent characteristics,
and the mortality rate of local jail inmates by
state. Tis is the fnal report on deaths in local
jails from BJS’s MCI data collection. When the

FIGURE 1
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by
legal status, 2000–2019
Mortality rate
200

Unconvicted inmates

160
All jail inmates

120

Convicted inmates

80
40
0

I

’00

I

I

’02

I

I

’04

I

I

’06

I

I

’08

I

I

’10

I

I

’12

I

I

’14

I

I

I

I

I

’16 ’18 ’19

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published
statistics. Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the
custody of local jails. Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on
the annual number of deaths and the average daily population
(ADP). In 2000, the ADP was estimated by taking the average
of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. See
Methodology. See table 7 for rates.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails,
2000–2018; Census of Jails, 2019; and Mortality in Correctional
Institutions, 2000–2019.

Highlights
ƒƒIn 2019, there were 1,200 deaths in local jails, a
more than 5% increase from 2018 (1,138 deaths).
ƒƒThe local jail mortality rate in 2019 was
167 deaths per 100,000 inmates, up 11% from
2000 (151 per 100,000).
ƒƒAt 49 deaths per 100,000 inmates, suicide was
the leading single cause of death for jail inmates
in 2019.
ƒƒThe 184 deaths in local jails due to drug or
alcohol intoxication in 2019 was the highest
recorded in the 20 years that BJS has collected
mortality data, up slightly from 180 in 2018.

ƒƒWhen the U.S. resident population was adjusted
to resemble the sex, race or ethnicity, and age
distribution of local jail inmates, inmates were
more than twice as likely as U.S. residents to die
by suicide in 2019.
ƒƒAlmost 77% of the 1,200 persons who died in
local jails in 2019 were not convicted of a crime
at the time of their death (908).
ƒƒAlmost 40% of inmates who died in local jails in
2019 had been held for 1 week or less.
ƒƒJails with an average daily population of 49 or
fewer inmates had the highest mortality rates
each year from 2000 to 2019.

Bureau of Justice Statistics · Statistical Tables

Mortality in Local Jails,
2000–2019 – Statistical Tables

Deaths in Custody Reporting Act was reauthorized
in 2014 (P.L. 113–242), it included additional
enforcement and reporting compliance requirements
that are incompatible with BJS’s authorizing statute
as a federal statistical agency. Te U.S. Department of
Justice (DOJ) determined it would be more appropriate
for the Bureau of Justice Assistance to administer
the program and collect mortality data for the DOJ,
starting with the frst quarter of fscal year 2019
(October to December 2019). Data on mortality in
state and federal prisons are available in Mortality in
State and Federal Prisons, 2001–2019 – Statistical
Tables (NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021).

Cause of death in jail inmates in 2019

In 2019, 86% of jail decedents were male, 60% were
non-Hispanic white, and 77% had not been convicted
of a crime at the time of death. Forty-two percent were
held in jail for a violent ofense. Almost 40% of persons
who died in local jails in 2019 had been incarcerated
for 1 week or less. Of the 20,413 deaths reported in
local jails from 2000 to 2019, about 50% occurred in
an internal or external medical unit, 31% in the jail’s
general housing unit, and 11% in a segregation unit.
Jails with an ADP of 49 or fewer inmates had the
highest mortality rate in 2019, at 264 per 100,000.

ƒƒ
Accidents and homicides each accounted for about
2% of deaths in local jails in 2019.

Suicide was the leading single cause of death in local
jails in 2019 (355 deaths or 30% of all deaths), although
illnesses of all types accounted for nearly half of deaths
(553 or 46%). Te number of suicides in jails increased
by 16 between 2018 and 2019, but the number was
still lower than in 2015, when there were 369 deaths
by suicide in local jails. Drug or alcohol intoxication
has accounted for an increasing share of deaths in local
jails over time. It accounted for 15% of all deaths in
2019, afer suicide and heart disease (25%). Te rate
of intoxication deaths more than quadrupled, from
6 per 100,000 in 2000 to 26 per 100,000 in 2019. In
comparison, the rate of suicide deaths in jails in 2019
(49 per 100,000) was roughly equivalent to the rate
in 2000 (48 per 100,000). Te rates of deaths due to
homicide and accidents in 2019 were also equivalent
(3 per 100,000 each). Te rate of deaths due to illness
decreased from 86 per 100,000 in 2000 to 77 per
100,000 in 2019.

ƒƒ
Suicide was the leading single cause of death in local
jails in 2019, with 355 deaths by suicide (table 1).
ƒƒ
A total of 553 jail inmates died from illness in 2019,
including 294 from heart disease.
ƒƒ
Te number of jail inmates who died from
AIDS-related illnesses reached its lowest count in
2019 (8 deaths), down from a high of 59 deaths
in 2001.
ƒƒ
Drug or alcohol intoxication accounted for 15% of
jail deaths in 2019, up from 4% in 2000 (table 2).

Mortality rates in 2019
ƒƒ
Te rate of suicide deaths in jails in 2019 (49 per
100,000) was roughly equivalent to the rate in 2000
(48 per 100,000) (table 3).
ƒƒ
Te rate of jail deaths due to drug or alcohol
intoxication increased from 6 per 100,000 inmates in
2000 to 26 per 100,000 in 2019 (fgure 2).
FIGURE 2
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause
of death, 2000–2019
Mortality rate
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
’00 ’02

Illness
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication

’04

’06

’08*

’10

’12

’14

’16

’18 ’19

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics.
Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local
jails. Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of
deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP was
estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate
population counts. See Methodology. See table 3 for rates.
*In 2008, a high number of illness cases were missing cause of death
information and were classifed as missing.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions,
2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

2

■

ƒƒ
Local jail inmates were less than half as likely to
die in 2019 as U.S. residents, when the resident
population was adjusted to resemble the sex, race or
ethnicity, and age of the jail population (table 4).

Demographic and criminal justice characteristics
of jail decedents

ƒƒ
Te adjusted homicide rate for U.S. residents in 2019
was 4 per 100,000, compared to 3 per 100,000 for
local jail inmates (fgure 3).

ƒƒ
In 2019, a total of 310 local jail inmates who died
were age 55 or older, and 3 inmates were age 17
or younger.

ƒƒ
Suicide was the only cause of death for which
incarcerated persons (48 per 100,000) had higher
mortality rates than the adjusted U.S. resident
population (22 per 100,000) in 2019.

ƒƒ
In 2019, more than 1% of jail decedents were
non-Hispanic American Indians or Alaska Natives.

FIGURE 3
Adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 U.S. residents, by
cause of death, 2019

ƒƒ
Inmates held in jail on a conviction accounted for
a smaller share of jail deaths in 2019 (23%) than in
2000 (29%) (table 6).

Mortality rate
50

■ Adult U.S. residents

ƒƒ
Almost 60% of jail inmates who died in 2019 had
been incarcerated 30 days or less (fgure 4).

a

Jail inmatesb

40

ƒƒ
Te number of female jail decedents decreased
between 2018 (181 deaths) and 2019 (170) (table 5).

ƒƒ
Inmates incarcerated for a violent ofense accounted
for the largest portion of jail deaths every year from
2000 to 2019.

30

FIGURE 4
Percent of deaths of local jail inmates, by time served
before death, 2000 and 2019

20
10
0

Suicide

Drug/alcohol
intoxication

Accidentc

Homicided

Note: Excludes persons age 17 or younger and federal prisoners. U.S.
resident mortality rate is per 100,000 adult U.S. residents and is based
on death certifcates from all U.S. residents in 2019. Inmate mortality
rate is per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails and is based
on the annual number of deaths and average daily population. See
table 4 for crude and adjusted rates.
aTo allow for direct comparisons of mortality rates, BJS adjusted the
U.S. resident population to resemble the sex, race or ethnicity, and age
distribution of the local jail population. See Methodology.
bInmate mortality rates in fgure 3 and table 4 were adjusted for sex,
race or ethnicity, and age diferences to be comparable to U.S. resident
rates and may difer from other rates in the report. See Methodology.
cExcludes causes of death that are unlikely to occur in a jail setting from
the rates of both U.S. residents and jail inmates. See Methodology.
dIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to
the use of force by staf, and resulting from injuries sustained prior
to incarceration.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2011–2018,
Census of Local Jails, 2019, Mortality in Correctional Institutions,
2019, National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012, and Survey
of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002; and Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC WONDER online
database, Underlying Cause of Death 2019 (released in 2020).

Percent of deaths
40

2000
2019

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

7 days or less

8–30

31–60

61–180

181 or more

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics.
Percentages are based on nonmissing data. See table 6 for percentages.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions,
2000 and 2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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Local jail mortality rates by demographic and
criminal justice characteristics
ƒƒ
Te mortality rate for jail inmates age 55 or older
was 1,040 per 100,000 in 2019, up from 1,003 per
100,000 in 2018 (table 7).
ƒƒ
Jail inmates ages 45 to 54 experienced a decline in
mortality rates from 2000 (397 per 100,000) to 2019
(214 per 100,000).
ƒƒ
Te mortality rate for non-Hispanic white jail
inmates in 2019 (256 per 100,000) was almost
double that of non-Hispanic black inmates (136 per
100,000) and nearly three times that of Hispanic
inmates (89 per 100,000).
ƒƒ
Te mortality rate for unconvicted jail inmates
(192 per 100,000) reached its highest level in 2019.
Total deaths in local jails, 2000–19
ƒƒ
During 2000–19, a total of 20,413 inmates died in
local jails, for an overall mortality rate of 142 deaths
per 100,000 (table 8).
ƒƒ
White inmates accounted for 56% (11,279) of all jail
decedents with a reported race or ethnicity during
2000–19 (table 9).
ƒƒ
Te number of white (184) and black (185) inmates
who died from homicide in local jails during
2000–19 was roughly equal.
ƒƒ
During the 20 years that BJS collected jail
mortality data, white inmates accounted for 72% of
suicide deaths.
ƒƒ
Forty-two percent of unconvicted persons held in
local jails who died during 2000–19 died of either
suicide (5,084) or drug or alcohol intoxication (1,321).
ƒƒ
Heart disease was the leading cause of death for
inmates incarcerated for drug or public order ofenses
during 2000–19, while suicide was the leading cause
of death for violent and property ofenders.
Average annual mortality rates, 2000–19
ƒƒ
During 2000–19, female inmates died of drug
or alcohol intoxication at an average annual rate
(20 per 100,000) that was nearly double that of male
inmates (11 per 100,000) (table 10).
ƒƒ
Black jail inmates had the lowest average annual
suicide rate (16 per 100,000) of all racial and ethnic
groups during the 20 years of the MCI collection
(fgure 5).

ƒƒ
Jail inmates age 55 or older died of homicide at the
highest average annual rate (14 per 100,000) of all
age groups.
Time between jail admission and death
ƒƒ
Among all jail inmates who died during 2000–19,
the median time from their jail admission to their
death was 17 days (table 11).
ƒƒ
During 2000–19, jail inmates who died of cancer had
the longest median time served (138 days), while
those who died of drug or alcohol intoxication were
incarcerated a median of 1 day.
ƒƒ
Te median time served for victims of homicide in
jails was 30 days during 2000–19, compared to 9
days for those who died by suicide.
ƒƒ
Among inmates who died in local jails during
2000–19, violent ofenders served the most time
before death (a median of 40 days), followed by
property ofenders (15), drug ofenders (12), and
inmates held for public order ofenses (7) (table 12).
FIGURE 5
Average annual mortality rate per 100,000 local jail
inmates, by cause of death and race or ethnicity,
2000–19
Mortality rate
90
Whitea
80
Blacka
Hispanic
70
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
60
Asiana,b
50
40
30
20
10
0

Heart disease

Suicide

Note: Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number
of deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP
was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31
inmate population counts. Data may have been revised from previously
published statistics. See Methodology. See table 10 for rates.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic
whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–18;
Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–19;
National Inmate Survey, 2007–09 and 2011–12; and Survey of Inmates
in Local Jails, 2002.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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■

ƒƒ
Inmates who died while being held for murder or
nonnegligent manslaughter during 2000–19 served
the most time in jail of all ofenses, a median of
137 days before death.
Location of jail deaths
ƒƒ
Almost 50% of jail deaths during 2000–19 occurred
in a medical unit either inside or outside of the jail
(table 13).
ƒƒ
Forty-six percent of suicides during 2000–19
occurred in the jail’s general housing areas, and an
additional 21% occurred in segregation units.
ƒƒ
Of all jail deaths during 2000–19, almost 2%
took place in internal or external mental health
units, including 2% of suicides and more than 4%
of homicides.
Jail deaths by hold-status and jurisdiction size
ƒƒ
Forty-two inmates held for U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) and 156 held for the
U.S. Marshals died in local jails during 2014–19
(table 14).
ƒƒ
Lower mortality rates were observed among inmates
held for ICE (47 per 100,000 jail inmates) and
the U.S. Marshals (90 per 100,000 jail inmates)
than among inmates held under authority of local
jurisdiction (166 per 100,000 jail inmates).
ƒƒ
In 2019, jails with an average daily population
(ADP) of 1,000 to 2,499 inmates had more deaths
(293) than did the largest jails in the country, those
holding 2,500 or more inmates (220) (table 15).
ƒƒ
Te mortality rate for jails with an ADP of 49
or fewer inmates in 2019 was 264 per 100,000,
compared to 161 per 100,000 for facilities with an
ADP of 2,500 or more (table 16).

ƒƒ
Te percentage of jail jurisdictions reporting one
death in a calendar year increased from 10% (288) in
2000 to 15% (414) in 2019 (fgure 6).
ƒƒ
Between 2018 and 2019, a total of 23 states and
the District of Columbia had an increase in the
number of deaths in local jails, 19 states experienced
a decrease, and 4 had no change in the number of
deaths (table 19).
ƒƒ
North Dakota and the 15 locally operated jails in
Alaska had no jail deaths during 2019.
ƒƒ
In 2019, a total of 636 unique jail jurisdictions
reported at least one death, the highest number of
jurisdictions with a death recorded in BJS’s MCI
collection (table 22).
FIGURE 6
Percent of local jails reporting one or more deaths, by
number of deaths, 2000–2019
Percent of jails
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
’00 ’02

1 death
~

---

-

2 or more deaths

’04

’06

’08

’10

’12

’14

’16

’18 ’19

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics.
Includes all local jails that reported data on populations or deaths. See
Methodology. See table 17 for percentages.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions,
2000–2019.

Jurisdictions with and without jail deaths
ƒƒ
From 2000 to 2019, an average of 81% of jail
jurisdictions in the U.S. reported no deaths during
the calendar year, while an average of 13% reported
one and an average of 6% reported two or more
(table 17).
ƒƒ
Te median daily population for jail jurisdictions
experiencing a single death in 2019 was 235 inmates,
while jails with two or more deaths had median daily
populations of 922 inmates.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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List of tables
TabLE 1. Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2019
TabLE 2. Percent of deaths of local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2019
TabLE 3. Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2019
TabLE 4. Crude and adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 U.S. residents, by cause of death, 2019
TabLE 5. Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by decedent characteristics, 2000–2019
TabLE 6. Percent of deaths of local jail inmates, by decedent characteristics, 2000–2019
TabLE 7. Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic group, by decedent
characteristics, 2000–2019
TabLE 8. Number of deaths of local jail inmates and mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by
cause of death, 2000–19
TabLE 9. Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by cause of death and decedent characteristics, 2000–19
TabLE 10. Average annual mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death and
decedent characteristics, 2000–19
TabLE 11. Cause of death of local jail inmates, by time served before death, 2000–19
TabLE 12. Ofenses of decedents, by time served before death, 2000–19
TabLE 13. Death location of local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–19
TabLE 14. Number of deaths and mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by hold status, 2014–19
TabLE 15. Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by size of jurisdiction, 2000–2019
TabLE 16. Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by size of jurisdiction, 2000–2019
TabLE 17. Number and percent of local jail jurisdictions reporting to Mortality in Correctional
Institutions, by number of deaths reported each year, 2000–2019
TabLE 18. Number of local jail inmates held on an average day, by state, 2000–2019
TabLE 19. Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by state, 2000–2019
TabLE 20. Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by state, 2000–2019
TabLE 21. Number of local jail jurisdictions reporting to Mortality in Correctional Institutions, by
state, 2000–2019
TabLE 22. Number of local jail jurisdictions reporting one or more deaths to Mortality in Correctional
Institutions, by state, 2000–2019
Continued on next page

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

6

■

List of figures
FIGURE 1. Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by legal status, 2000–2019
FIGURE 2. Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2019
FIGURE 3. Adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 U.S. residents, by cause of death, 2019
FIGURE 4. Percent of deaths of local jail inmates, by time served before death, 2000 and 2019
FIGURE 5. Average annual mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death and race or
ethnicity, 2000–19
FIGURE 6. Percent of local jails reporting one or more deaths, by number of deaths, 2000–2019

List of appendix tables
appENdIx TabLE 1. Estimated number of local jail inmates in custody on an average day, by inmate
characteristics, 2000–2019
appENdIx TabLE 2. Illness mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic
group, by decedent characteristics, 2002–2019 (3-year rolling averages)
appENdIx TabLE 3. Heart disease mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each
demographic group, by decedent characteristics, 2002–2019 (3-year rolling averages)
appENdIx TabLE 4. Suicide mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic
group, by decedent characteristics, 2002–2019 (3-year rolling averages)
appENdIx TabLE 5. Mortality rate from drug or alcohol intoxication, accidents, and homicides per
100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic group, by decedent characteristics, 2002–2019
(3-year rolling averages)

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

7

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TabLE 1
Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2019
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-relatedb
Cancer
Respiratory disease
Liver disease
All other illnessesc
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicided
Other/unknown
Missing

2000
903
516
198
57
31
31
23
176
289
37
24
17
17
3

2001
942
485
216
59
25
18
26
141
313
58
36
19
24
7

2002
969
507
220
53
39
22
24
149
314
54
34
18
35
7

2003
1,001
512
240
55
34
21
30
132
296
88
28
15
52
10

2004
1,021
529
227
52
29
35
29
157
299
76
33
25
50
9

2005
1,045
501
202
40
37
20
29
173
286
83
24
22
110
19

2006
1,094
604
247
54
38
27
25
213
278
87
33
36
52
4

2007
1,099
608
231
43
42
48
38
206
283
79
18
20
71
20

2008a
959
444
181
32
25
32
32
142
228
45
15
16
8
203

2009
961
490
208
27
47
32
30
146
304
65
26
23
25
28

2010
918
477
242
26
34
18
25
132
305
54
23
20
13
26

2011
888
425
236
13
32
20
12
112
311
73
27
21
21
10

2012
960
528
269
21
44
28
28
138
301
57
18
22
25
9

2013
987
482
260
20
40
30
18
114
328
72
31
28
19
27

2014
1,053
502
242
17
38
42
27
136
368
95
25
25
24
14

2015
1,096
518
256
10
41
33
20
158
369
92
26
30
34
27

2016
1,076
537
298
12
47
26
19
135
334
112
19
31
25
18

2017
1,103
522
281
13
41
34
17
136
317
151
22
29
26
36

2018
1,138
521
294
9
34
35
9
140
339
180
29
27
30
12

2019
1,200
553
294
8
44
32
20
155
355
184
24
25
25
34

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. See Methodology.
aIn 2008, a high number of illness cases were missing cause of death information and were classifed as missing.
bIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
cIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
dIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 2
Percent of deaths of local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2019
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-relatedb
Cancer
Respiratory disease
Liver disease
All other illnessesc
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicided
Other/unknown
Missing

2000
100%
57.1%
21.9
6.3
3.4
3.4
2.5
19.5
32.0%
4.1%
2.7%
1.9%
1.9%
0.3%

2001
100%
51.5%
22.9
6.3
2.7
1.9
2.8
15.0
33.2%
6.2%
3.8%
2.0%
2.5%
0.7%

2002
100%
52.3%
22.7
5.5
4.0
2.3
2.5
15.4
32.4%
5.6%
3.5%
1.9%
3.6%
0.7%

2003
100%
51.1%
24.0
5.5
3.4
2.1
3.0
13.2
29.6%
8.8%
2.8%
1.5%
5.2%
1.0%

2004
100%
51.8%
22.2
5.1
2.8
3.4
2.8
15.4
29.3%
7.4%
3.2%
2.4%
4.9%
0.9%

2005
100%
47.9%
19.3
3.8
3.5
1.9
2.8
16.6
27.4%
7.9%
2.3%
2.1%
10.5%
1.8%

2006
100%
55.2%
22.6
4.9
3.5
2.5
2.3
19.5
25.4%
8.0%
3.0%
3.3%
4.8%
0.4%

2007
100%
55.3%
21.0
3.9
3.8
4.4
3.5
18.7
25.8%
7.2%
1.6%
1.8%
6.5%
1.8%

2008a
100%
46.3%
18.9
3.3
2.6
3.3
3.3
14.8
23.8%
4.7%
1.6%
1.7%
0.8%
21.2%

2009
100%
51.0%
21.6
2.8
4.9
3.3
3.1
15.2
31.6%
6.8%
2.7%
2.4%
2.6%
2.9%

2010
100%
52.0%
26.4
2.8
3.7
2.0
2.7
14.4
33.2%
5.9%
2.5%
2.2%
1.4%
2.8%

2011
100%
47.9%
26.6
1.5
3.6
2.3
1.4
12.6
35.0%
8.2%
3.0%
2.4%
2.4%
1.1%

2012
100%
55.0%
28.0
2.2
4.6
2.9
2.9
14.4
31.4%
5.9%
1.9%
2.3%
2.6%
0.9%

2013
100%
48.8%
26.3
2.0
4.1
3.0
1.8
11.6
33.2%
7.3%
3.1%
2.8%
1.9%
2.7%

2014
100%
47.7%
23.0
1.6
3.6
4.0
2.6
12.9
34.9%
9.0%
2.4%
2.4%
2.3%
1.3%

2015
100%
47.3%
23.4
0.9
3.7
3.0
1.8
14.4
33.7%
8.4%
2.4%
2.7%
3.1%
2.5%

2016
100%
49.9%
27.7
1.1
4.4
2.4
1.8
12.5
31.0%
10.4%
1.8%
2.9%
2.3%
1.7%

2017
100%
47.3%
25.5
1.2
3.7
3.1
1.5
12.3
28.7%
13.7%
2.0%
2.6%
2.4%
3.3%

2018
100%
45.8%
25.8
0.8
3.0
3.1
0.8
12.3
29.8%
15.8%
2.5%
2.4%
2.6%
1.1%

2019
100%
46.1%
24.5
0.7
3.7
2.7
1.7
12.9
29.6%
15.3%
2.0%
2.1%
2.1%
2.8%

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. See Methodology.
aIn 2008, a high number of illness cases were missing cause of death information and were classifed as missing.
bIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
cIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
dIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

9

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TabLE 3
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2019
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-relatedb
Cancer
Respiratory disease
Liver disease
All other illnessesc
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicided
Other/unknown
Missing

2000
151
86
33
10
5
5
4
29
48
6
4
3
3
1!

2001
148
76
34
9
4
3
4
22
49
9
6
3
4
1!

2002
145
76
33
8
6
3
4
22
47
8
5
3
5
1!

2003
146
74
35
8
5
3
4
19
43
13
4
2
8
1

2004
143
74
32
7
4
5
4
22
42
11
5
3
7
1!

2005
141
68
27
5
5
3
4
23
39
11
3
3
15
3

2006
142
78
32
7
5
3
3
28
36
11
4
5
7
1!

2007
141
78
30
6
5
6
5
26
36
10
2
3
9
3

2008a
123
57
23
4
3
4
4
18
29
6
2
2
1!
26

2009
128
66
28
4
6
4
4
20
41
9
3
3
3
4

2010
125
65
33
4
5
2
3
18
42
7
3
3
2
4

2011
123
59
33
2
4
3
2
16
43
10
4
3
3
1

2012
129
71
36
3
6
4
4
19
40
8
2
3
3
1!

2013
138
68
36
3
6
4
3
16
46
10
4
4
3
4

2014
144
69
33
2
5
6
4
19
50
13
3
3
3
2

2015
154
73
36
1
6
5
3
22
52
13
4
4
5
4

2016
150
75
42
2
7
4
3
19
47
16
3
4
3
3

2017
151
72
39
2
6
5
2
19
43
21
3
4
4
5

2018
156
71
40
1!
5
5
1!
19
46
25
4
4
4
2

2019
167
77
41
1!
6
4
3
22
49
26
3
3
3
5

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of
deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aIn 2008, a high number of illness cases were missing cause of death information and were classifed as missing.
bIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
cIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
dIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

10

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TabLE 4
Crude and adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 U.S. residents, by cause of death, 2019
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-relatedc
Cancer
Respiratory disease
Liver disease
All other illnessesd
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accidente
Homicidef

Crude rate per
100,000 adult U.S. residents
1,110
1,039
265
2
241
109
23
400
18
28
23
2

Adjusted rate per
100,000 adult U.S. residentsa
339
262
72
3
61
20
11
95
22
41
9
4

Rate per 100,000 local jail inmatesb
154
75
40
1!
6
4
3
21
48
25
3
3

Note: Rates exclude persons age 17 or younger and federal prisoners. U.S. general population mortality rate is per 100,000 adult U.S. residents and
is based on death certifcates from all U.S. residents in 2019, including incarcerated persons. The jail mortality rate is per 100,000 inmates held in the
custody of local jails and is based on the annual number of deaths and average daily population.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aThe sex, race or ethnicity, and age composition of the U.S. resident population difers from that of local jail inmates. To allow for direct comparisons
of mortality rates, BJS adjusted the U.S. resident population to resemble the sex, race or ethnicity, and age distribution of the local jail population.
bRates may difer from those presented elsewhere in this report due to the removal of local jail inmates age 17 or younger from both the numerator
(deaths) and denominator (local jail population) and the exclusion of deaths for which cause of death was unknown or missing. These changes were
made solely to table 4 and fgure 3 to make the mortality rates comparable to those in the U.S. resident population.
cIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
dIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
eExcludes causes of death that are unlikely to occur in a jail setting, including motor vehicle accidents; homicides due to explosives or frearms not
related to law enforcement, motor vehicle assault, or neglect; and frearm discharges not related to law enforcement.
fIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2011–2018, Census of Local Jails, 2019, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2019, National
Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012, and Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002; and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center
for Health Statistics, CDC WONDER online database, Underlying Cause of Death 2019 (released in 2020).

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

11

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TabLE 5
Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by decedent characteristics, 2000–2019
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
Asiana,b
Othera,c
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede
Time served
7 days or less
8–30
31–60
61–120
121–180
181 or more
Ofense
Violent
Property
Drug
Public order/otherf

2000
903

2001
942

2002
969

2003
1,001

2004
1,021

2005
1,045

2006
1,094

2007
1,099

2008
959

2009
961

2010
918

2011
888

2012
960

2013
987

2014
1,053

2015
1,096

2016
1,076

2017
1,103

2018
1,138

2019
1,200

813
90

847
91

862
107

866
133

893
128

925
120

964
130

969
130

840
119

852
109

804
114

778
110

838
122

860
127

901
152

940
154

921
155

936
166

957
181

1,030
170

452
305
118
9
6
2

514
283
115
13
7
0

534
304
113
5
5
0

538
322
118
10
6
0

500
359
135
13
10
1

559
331
116
14
7
1

528
408
126
17
10
0

547
398
125
12
13
2

512
310
107
11
13
3

534
274
109
22
9
1

516
265
90
11
7
5

525
234
105
6
10
3

556
270
100
13
10
2

524
278
145
12
8
2

623
273
118
13
12
7

656
256
141
14
11
1

626
265
137
18
15
2

654
272
131
15
9
2

669
279
150
15
11
3

712
300
138
16
13
4

8
89
184
264
239
115

8
107
193
280
239
111

7
100
186
336
236
102

5
102
211
283
266
128

7
105
210
300
263
131

5
107
192
284
275
168

4
103
196
312
303
168

4
101
199
291
322
182

3
86
167
246
275
178

3
87
175
235
259
193

3
80
187
201
253
172

2
81
206
198
227
171

2
83
190
198
273
209

3
75
216
213
259
202

2
87
230
231
263
233

2
80
251
230
269
247

2
79
243
218
262
258

3
82
259
237
243
260

0
69
241
285
230
304

3
62
288
299
219
310

258
627

252
683

244
717

255
738

226
786

231
798

238
846

246
849

201
753

247
694

232
664

221
662

256
698

229
740

258
788

266
814

256
803

269
811

285
840

276
908

328
167
111
115
56
119

349
173
105
124
63
113

360
168
100
121
73
134

397
176
94
120
73
124

399
179
115
111
76
124

385
188
112
128
69
127

382
205
126
148
80
123

392
184
137
147
81
152

349
164
106
122
68
128

365
167
99
118
51
145

345
176
91
92
58
133

346
172
97
90
55
125

350
200
100
115
58
132

391
163
87
124
45
157

425
218
107
96
51
145

444
209
112
112
59
143

431
188
107
117
68
150

441
209
104
113
67
148

458
229
88
121
63
170

471
236
114
118
58
187

355
168
146
208

313
178
151
263

357
203
152
225

313
221
171
262

337
189
188
277

357
224
174
240

356
210
198
266

366
193
198
286

301
185
165
241

348
180
130
243

341
170
122
224

349
152
113
234

350
185
151
236

346
196
132
253

386
202
161
272

376
226
176
265

371
210
167
268

410
217
148
266

410
217
180
292

476
207
183
267

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Details may not sum to totals due to missing data. See Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
fPublic order ofenses include weapons ofenses, DUI/DWI, court ofenses, commercialized vice, and morals and decency ofenses. Other ofenses include holds and holds for other jurisdictions and probation
and parole violations.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

TabLE 6
Percent of deaths of local jail inmates, by decedent characteristics, 2000–2019
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
Asiana,b
Othera,c
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede
Time served
7 days or less
8–30
31–60
61–120
121–180
181 or more
Ofense
Violent
Property
Drug
Public order/otherf

2000
100%

2001
100%

2002
100%

2003
100%

2004
100%

2005
100%

2006
100%

2007
100%

2008
100%

2009
100%

2010
100%

2011
100%

2012
100%

2013
100%

2014
100%

2015
100%

2016
100%

2017
100%

2018
100%

2019
100%

90.0% 90.3% 89.0% 86.7% 87.5% 88.5% 88.1% 88.2% 87.6% 88.7% 87.6% 87.6% 87.3% 87.1% 85.6% 85.9% 85.6% 84.9% 84.1% 85.8%
10.0
9.7
11.0
13.3
12.5
11.5
11.9
11.8
12.4
11.3
12.4
12.4
12.7
12.9
14.4
14.1
14.4
15.1
15.9
14.2
50.7% 55.2% 55.6% 54.1% 49.1% 54.4% 48.5% 49.9% 53.6% 56.3% 57.7% 59.5% 58.5% 54.1% 59.6% 60.8% 58.9% 60.4% 59.4% 60.2%
34.2
30.4
31.6
32.4
35.3
32.2
37.5
36.3
32.4
28.9
29.6
26.5
28.4
28.7
26.1
23.7
24.9
25.1
24.8
25.4
13.2
12.3
11.8
11.9
13.3
11.3
11.6
11.4
11.2
11.5
10.1
11.9
10.5
15.0
11.3
13.1
12.9
12.1
13.3
11.7
1.0
1.4
0.5
1.0
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.1
1.2
2.3
1.2
0.7
1.4
1.2
1.2
1.3
1.7
1.4
1.3
1.4
0.7
0.8
0.5
0.6
1.0
0.7
0.9
1.2
1.4
0.9
0.8
1.1
1.0
0.8
1.1
1.0
1.4
0.8
1.0
1.1
0.2
0
0
0
0.1
0.1
0
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.6
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.7
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.9%
9.9
20.5
29.4
26.6
12.8

0.9%
11.4
20.6
29.9
25.5
11.8

0.7%
10.3
19.2
34.7
24.4
10.5

0.5%
10.3
21.2
28.4
26.7
12.9

0.7%
10.3
20.7
29.5
25.9
12.9

0.5%
10.4
18.6
27.5
26.7
16.3

0.4%
9.5
18.0
28.7
27.9
15.5

0.4%
9.2
18.1
26.5
29.3
16.6

0.3%
9.0
17.5
25.8
28.8
18.6

0.3%
9.1
18.4
24.7
27.2
20.3

0.3%
8.9
20.9
22.4
28.2
19.2

0.2%
9.2
23.3
22.4
25.6
19.3

0.2%
8.7
19.9
20.7
28.6
21.9

0.3%
7.7
22.3
22.0
26.8
20.9

0.2%
8.3
22.0
22.1
25.1
22.3

0.2%
7.4
23.3
21.3
24.9
22.9

0.2%
7.4
22.9
20.5
24.7
24.3

0.3%
7.6
23.9
21.9
22.4
24.0

0%
6.1
21.3
25.2
20.4
26.9

0.3%
5.2
24.4
25.3
18.5
26.2

29.2% 27.0% 25.4% 25.7% 22.3% 22.4% 22.0% 22.5% 21.1% 26.2% 25.9% 25.0% 26.8% 23.6% 24.7% 24.6% 24.2% 24.9% 25.3% 23.3%
70.8
73.0
74.6
74.3
77.7
77.6
78.0
77.5
78.9
73.8
74.1
75.0
73.2
76.4
75.3
75.4
75.8
75.1
74.7
76.7
36.6%
18.6
12.4
12.8
6.3
13.3

37.6%
18.7
11.3
13.4
6.8
12.2

37.7%
17.6
10.5
12.7
7.6
14.0

40.3%
17.9
9.6
12.2
7.4
12.6

39.7%
17.8
11.5
11.1
7.6
12.4

38.2%
18.6
11.1
12.7
6.8
12.6

35.9%
19.3
11.8
13.9
7.5
11.6

35.9%
16.8
12.5
13.4
7.4
13.9

37.2%
17.5
11.3
13.0
7.3
13.7

38.6%
17.7
10.5
12.5
5.4
15.3

38.5%
19.7
10.2
10.3
6.5
14.9

39.1%
19.4
11.0
10.2
6.2
14.1

36.6%
20.9
10.5
12.0
6.1
13.8

40.4%
16.9
9.0
12.8
4.7
16.2

40.8%
20.9
10.3
9.2
4.9
13.9

41.1%
19.4
10.4
10.4
5.5
13.3

40.6%
17.7
10.1
11.0
6.4
14.1

40.8%
19.3
9.6
10.4
6.2
13.7

40.6%
20.3
7.8
10.7
5.6
15.1

39.8%
19.9
9.6
10.0
4.9
15.8

40.5%
19.2
16.6
23.7

34.6%
19.7
16.7
29.1

38.1%
21.7
16.2
24.0

32.4%
22.9
17.7
27.1

34.0%
19.1
19.0
28.0

35.9%
22.5
17.5
24.1

34.6%
20.4
19.2
25.8

35.1%
18.5
19.0
27.4

33.7%
20.7
18.5
27.0

38.6%
20.0
14.4
27.0

39.8%
19.8
14.2
26.1

41.2%
17.9
13.3
27.6

38.0%
20.1
16.4
25.6

37.3%
21.1
14.2
27.3

37.8%
19.8
15.8
26.6

36.0%
21.7
16.9
25.4

36.5%
20.7
16.4
26.4

39.4%
20.8
14.2
25.6

37.3%
19.7
16.4
26.6

42.0%
18.3
16.2
23.6

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Percentages are based on nonmissing data. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. See Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
fPublic order ofenses include weapons ofenses, DUI/DWI, court ofenses, commercialized vice, and morals and decency ofenses. Other ofenses include holds and holds for other jurisdictions and probation
and parole violations.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

TabLE 7
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic group, by decedent characteristics, 2000–2019
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
Asiana,b
Othera,c
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede
Ofense
Violent
Property
Drug
Public order/otherf

2000
151

2001
148

2002
145

2003
146

2004
143

2005
141

2006
142

2007
141

2008
123

2009
128

2010
125

2011
123

2012
129

2013
138

2014
144

2015
154

2016
150

2017
151

2018
156

2019
167

153
132

150
123

146
138

143
163

142
146

143
127

143
131

142
129

124
120

130
119

126
124

124
121

130
123

140
128

144
146

154
149

151
145

151
150

155
162

169
154

210
127
107
115 !
91 !
11 !

224
111
97
157
100 !
0

222
114
91
57 !
68 !
0

218
119
93
112
80 !
0

195
129
102
140
128
3!

210
117
85
146
88 !
3!

191
141
89
170
120
0

196
138
87
118
155
4!

185
109
70
108
169
6!

202
101
71
222
132 !
2!

202
103
58
104
103 !
11 !

211
95
67
54 !
149
6!

219
109
60
104
141
3!

211
132
91
106
114 !
3!

237
119
76
97
167
11 !

249
115
96
123
157
2!

238
121
88
161
217
3!

235
124
85
134
138 !
3!

242
131
97
122
169
4!

256
136
89
121
200
9!

109 !
53
96
169
397
871

104 !
59
94
168
372
788

96 !
53
87
192
351
691

73 !
53
96
160
358
773

98 !
53
92
166
319
704

75 !
53
82
154
302
809

65 !
49
80
166
302
726

58 !
48
81
156
300
729

39 !
41
67
138
260
668

43 !
43
72
142
257
705

41 !
41
77
127
252
616

35 !
43
84
129
226
597

37 !
43
74
128
259
678

67 !
41
88
144
256
685

49 !
46
91
152
254
771

57 !
44
102
155
266
837

53 !
43
98
146
257
868

0
85 !
37
44
95
103
187
156
221
235
860 1,003

98
187

95
183

91
179

94
177

80
182

82
174

81
177

83
175

70
154

87
149

81
148

78
152

87
155

84
168

95
172

100
183

102
172

104
172

116
173

112
192

233
115
99
136

193
114
96
162

210
125
92
132

182
132
100
146

193
109
106
146

201
126
94
120

196
114
103
125

203
104
101
130

171
100
85
108

211
102
69
111

210
96
68
105

216
86
65
112

209
99
87
109

216
109
79
123

235
110
94
129

235
126
106
129

230
116
99
129

250
118
87
126

249
118
105
138

294
115
109
128

107 !
34
116
199
214
1,040

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of
deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
fPublic order ofenses include weapons ofenses, DUI/DWI, court ofenses, commercialized vice, and morals and decency ofenses. Other ofenses include holds and holds for other jurisdictions and probation
and parole violations.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2018; Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019; National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012; and Survey of
Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 8
Number of deaths of local jail inmates and mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–19
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-relateda
Cancer
Respiratory disease
Liver disease
All other illnessesb
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicidec
Other/unknown
Missing

Number
20,413
10,261
4,842
621
742
584
481
2,991
6,217
1,742
515
469
686
523

Percent
100%
50.3%
23.7
3.0
3.6
2.9
2.4
14.7
30.5%
8.5%
2.5%
2.3%
3.4%
2.6%

Mortality rate per
100,000 local jail inmates
142
71
34
4
5
4
3
21
43
12
4
3
5
4

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates for
2001–2019 are based on the annual number of deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP was estimated by taking the average
of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. Data may have been revised from previously statistics. See Methodology.
aIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
bIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
cIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–19.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 9
Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by cause of death and decedent characteristics, 2000–19
All
causesa
20,413

Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
17,796
Female
2,608
Race/ethnicity
Whitee
11,279
Blacke
5,986
Hispanic
2,437
American Indian/
Alaska Nativee
259
Asiane,f
192
Othere,g
41
Age
17 or younger
76
18–24
1,765
25–34
4,224
5,141
35–44
45–54
5,175
3,842
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedh
4,946
Unconvictedi
15,219
Ofense
Violent
7,218
Property
3,933
Drug
3,206
Public order/otherj 5,088

Illness
Heart AIDSRespiratory Liver
All other
disease relatedb Cancer disease
disease illnessesc Suicide
2,991
6,217
481
742
584
4,842
621

Drug/alcohol
intoxication
1,742

Accident Homicided
515
469

4,299
543

547
74

675
67

481
103

435
46

2,429
561

5,627
589

1,365
377

464
51

462
7

2,351
1,954
427

111
426
81

338
298
87

281
220
70

261
103
107

1,382
1,115
417

4,441
823
723

1,093
375
230

304
132
63

184
185
86

46
39
10

1
2
0

6
11
0

8
2
0

6
3
0

27
30
6

120
74
18

26
8
4

5
9
1

4
7
1

3
131
485
1,020
1,588
1,609

1
13
105
238
201
60

0
13
47
97
231
354

1
25
82
137
163
174

0
3
28
87
233
129

5
153
465
734
926
704

55
1,008
1,960
1,779
1,014
390

5
187
590
529
330
98

1
51
110
140
127
85

2
84
119
96
94
71

1,429
3,390

161
455

224
516

173
406

141
340

793
2,186

1,109
5,084

414
1,321

147
367

110
352

1,518
914
798
1,402

160
196
138
112

356
116
104
145

187
115
114
139

135
86
80
166

869
632
569
779

2,982
1,153
640
1,219

322
331
480
543

144
91
79
179

212
86
52
100

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Details may not sum to totals due to missing data. See Methodology.
aIncludes other causes not specifed and missing and unknown causes.
bIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
cIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
dIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
eExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
fIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
gIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
hIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
iIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
jPublic order ofenses include weapons ofenses, DUI/DWI, court ofenses, commercialized vice, and morals and decency ofenses. Other ofenses
include holds and holds for other jurisdictions and probation and parole violations.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–19.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 10
Average annual mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death and decedent characteristics, 2000–19
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitee
Blacke
Hispanic
American Indian/
Alaska Nativee
Asiane,f
Othere,g
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedh
Unconvictedi
Ofense
Violent
Property
Drug
Public order/otherj

All
causesa
142

Illness
Heart AIDSRespiratory Liver
All other
disease relatedb Cancer disease
disease illnessesc Suicide
34
4
5
4
3
21
43

Drug/alcohol
intoxication
12

Accident Homicided
4
3

143
137

35
29

4
4

5
4

4
5

4
2

20
30

45
31

11
20

4
3

4
<1 !

218
119
84

45
39
15

2
8
3

7
6
3

5
4
2

5
2
4

27
22
14

86
16
25

21
7
8

6
3
2

4
4
3

123
134
4

22
27
1

<1 !
1!
0

3!
8
0

4!
1!
0

3!
2!
0

13
21
1!

57
52
2

12
6!
<1 !

2!
6!
<1 !

2!
5!
<1 !

66
46
89
157
276
773

3!
3
10
31
85
324

<1 !
<1
2
7
11
12

0
<1
1
3
12
71

<1 !
<1
2
4
9
35

0
<1 !
<1
3
12
26

4!
4
10
22
49
142

48
26
41
54
54
79

4!
5
12
16
18
20

<1 !
1
2
4
7
17

2!
2
3
3
5
14

91
171

26
38

3
5

4
6

3
5

3
4

15
25

20
57

8
15

3
4

2
4

216
112
92
126

46
26
23
35

5
6
4
3

11
3
3
4

6
3
3
4

4
2
2
4

26
18
16
19

89
33
18
30

10
9
14
14

4
3
2
4

6
2
2
3

Note: Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP was
estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. Data may have been revised from previously published
statistics. See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aIncludes other causes not specifed and missing and unknown causes.
bIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
cIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
dIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
eExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
fIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
gIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
hIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
iIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
jPublic order ofenses include weapons ofenses, DUI/DWI, court ofenses, commercialized vice, and morals and decency ofenses. Other ofenses
include holds and holds for other jurisdictions and probation and parole violations.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–18; Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–19; National
Inmate Survey, 2007–09 and 2011–12; and Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 11
Cause of death of local jail inmates, by time served
before death, 2000–19
Cause of death
Total
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-relatedb
Cancer
Respiratory disease
Liver disease
All other illnessesc
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicided

Number
20,413
10,261
4,842
621
742
584
481
2,991
6,217
1,742
515
469

Median time
served (in days)a
17
33
25
82
138
38
43
21
9
1
11
30

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to missing data. See Methodology.
aThe statistical median represents the value at which 50% of the values
are larger and 50% are smaller in a sequence of numbers.
bIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive
or having AIDS at the time of death.
cIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease,
infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and
unspecifed illnesses.
dIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to
the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior
to incarceration.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions,
2000–19.

TabLE 12
Ofenses of decedents, by time served before death,
2000–19
Ofense
Total
Violent
Murderb
Kidnapping
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Assault
Other
Property
Burglary
Larceny/theft
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Fraud
Drug
Possession
Trafcking
Other/unknown
Public order/other
Weapons ofense
Obstruction of justice
DUI/DWI
Trafc ofense
excluding DUI/DWI
Probation/parole
violation and escape
Other

Number
20,413
7,218
1,385
374
1,331
752
2,857
519
3,933
995
2,028
186
106
618
3,206
1,617
1,149
440
5,088
233
989
749

Percent
100%
37.1%
7.1
1.9
6.8
3.9
14.7
2.7
20.2%
5.1
10.4
1.0
0.5
3.2
16.5%
8.3
5.9
2.3
26.2%
1.2
5.1
3.9

Median time
served (in days)a
17
40
137
44
77
51
16
13
15
32
11
12
45
16
12
8
30
6
7
13
7
5

527

2.7

4

1,564
1,026

8.0
5.3

12
5

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to missing data. See Methodology.
aThe statistical median represents the value at which 50% of the values
are larger and 50% are smaller in a sequence of numbers.
bIncludes nonnegligent manslaughter.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions,
2000–19.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 13
Death location of local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–19
Location
All causes
Total
100%
General housing
30.6
Segregation unit
10.7
49.7
Medical unitd
Mental health unite
1.8
In transit
1.1
Elsewhere
6.1

Heart
disease
100%
28.6
6.4
56.2
1.7
1.6
5.5

Illness
AIDSRespiratory Liver
All other
relateda Cancer disease
disease illnessesb
100% 100%
100%
100% 100%
4.4
3.0
14.9
9.4
20.0
1.9
2.0
4.1
3.8
6.6
89.8
89.2
73.2
80.0
65.5
0.5
1.8
1.7
0.8
2.1
0.5
0.3
1.0
0.2
1.3
2.9
3.8
5.0
5.8
4.4

Drug/alcohol
Suicide intoxication Accident Homicidec
100%
100%
100%
100%
46.1
36.6
17.3
31.7
20.6
9.4
5.3
5.2
25.8
41.1
54.1
48.9
1.9
0.9
2.5
4.4
0.5
1.3
3.5
1.7
5.2
10.7
17.3
8.1

Note: Percentages presented are based on nonmissing data. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. See Methodology.
aIncludes persons who died of illness and were identifed as HIV-positive or having AIDS at the time of death.
bIncludes other specifed illnesses (such as cerebrovascular disease, infuenza, and other nonleading natural causes of death) and unspecifed illnesses.
cIncludes homicides committed by other inmates, incidental to the use of force by staf, and resulting from assaults sustained prior to incarceration.
dIncludes the special medical unit within the jail facility and outside medical centers.
eIncludes the special mental health services unit within the jail facility and outside mental health centers. Mental health unit classifcation was not
collected prior to 2009.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–19.

TabLE 14
Number of deaths and mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by hold status, 2014–19
Hold status
Number of deaths, 2014–19
Total
6,666
Hold statusa
719
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
42
U.S. Marshals Service
156
Otherb
528
No hold/unknownc
5,947

Sum of annual average
daily populations, 2014–19
4,337,625
748,495
89,467
173,934
485,093
3,589,130

Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail
inmates, by hold status, 2014–19
154
96
47
90
109
166

Note: Average daily population was calculated for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other authorities based
on the proportion of the confned population on December 31.
aIncludes contractual, temporary, courtesy, or ad hoc holds for federal, local, or state authorities. A jail inmate may have multiple hold statuses.
bIncludes state or federal prison, the Bureau of Indian Afairs, or any other jail jurisdiction.
cPersons held in jail for local law enforcement and court ofcials, not on behalf of state or federal ofcials.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2014–19.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 15
Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by size of jurisdiction, 2000–2019
Jail jurisdiction size
(average daily population)
Total
49 or fewer inmates
50–99
100–249
250–499
500–999
1,000–2,499
2,500 or more

2000
903
63
66
80
87
139
186
282

2001
942
76
70
111
98
139
167
280

2002
969
79
63
103
110
98
195
321

2003
1,001
78
58
104
111
133
233
284

2004
1,021
70
56
101
117
107
258
312

2005
1,045
68
66
103
107
145
226
330

2006
1,094
68
63
106
109
133
228
387

2007
1,099
46
61
116
127
130
251
368

2008
959
47
46
108
111
121
238
286

2009
961
49
55
121
111
120
237
268

2010
918
60
45
122
95
121
237
234

2011
888
51
51
116
125
133
207
186

2012
960
66
60
89
144
148
234
218

2013
987
60
61
138
129
151
205
243

2014
1,053
68
70
115
153
158
263
226

2015
1,096
61
54
141
157
185
268
230

2016
1,076
59
60
150
150
180
264
213

2017
1,103
51
58
156
133
194
293
218

2018
1,138
40
62
158
181
197
298
201

2019
1,200
50
66
164
169
238
293
220

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding or missing data. In 2000, the average daily population was estimated by taking the average
of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. See Methodology.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

TabLE 16
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by size of jurisdiction, 2000–2019
Jail jurisdiction size
(average daily population)
Total
49 or fewer inmates
50–99
100–249
250–499
500–999
1,000–2,499
2,500 or more

2000
151
229
170
105
115
142
154
175

2001
148
285
180
134
114
139
126
164

2002
145
319
155
120
122
96
136
177

2003
146
322
142
118
116
127
147
161

2004
143
295
134
112
121
99
166
157

2005
141
298
169
110
110
120
139
161

2006
142
299
161
113
113
104
131
178

2007
141
210
164
127
118
108
133
172

2008
123
222
119
119
106
96
124
139

2009
128
236
146
132
108
99
132
138

2010
125
285
125
129
96
94
133
135

2011
123
241
144
123
123
105
121
109

2012
129
308
166
95
129
114
129
127

2013
138
299
172
149
126
118
120
148

2014
144
336
189
119
138
122
151
140

2015
154
295
147
142
145
145
156
156

2016
150
294
166
143
136
134
157
148

2017
151
257
160
151
115
143
169
151

2018
156
209
175
155
146
142
174
143

2019
167
264
193
163
143
163
179
161

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of
deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. See Methodology.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 17
Number and percent of local jail jurisdictions reporting to Mortality in Correctional Institutions, by number of
deaths reported each year, 2000–2019
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Annual average,
2000–2019

Number of
reporting
jurisdictions
2,984
2,969
2,954
2,937
2,920
2,894
2,866
2,845
2,831
2,742
2,747
2,738
2,797
2,695
2,779
2,792
2,786
2,810
2,810
2,770
2,837

Jail jurisdictions reporting deaths
0 deaths
1 death
2 or more deaths
Number Percent
Number Percent
Number Percent
2,550
85.5%
288
9.7%
146
4.9%
2,485
83.7
331
11.1
153
5.2
2,470
83.6
331
11.2
153
5.2
2,427
82.6
349
11.9
161
5.5
2,402
82.3
367
12.6
151
5.2
2,372
82.0
362
12.5
160
5.5
2,327
81.2
368
12.8
171
6.0
2,312
81.3
349
12.3
184
6.5
2,329
82.3
346
12.2
156
5.5
2,239
81.7
332
12.1
171
6.2
2,245
81.7
342
12.4
160
5.8
2,217
81.0
350
12.8
171
6.2
2,258
80.7
373
13.3
166
5.9
2,150
79.8
372
13.8
173
6.4
2,199
79.1
398
14.3
182
6.5
2,201
78.8
399
14.3
192
6.9
2,213
79.4
375
13.5
198
7.1
2,231
79.4
377
13.4
202
7.2
2,197
78.2
388
13.8
225
8.0
2,134
77.0
414
14.9
222
8.0
2,307

81.3%

358

12.6%

172

6.1%

Median jail jurisdiction daily population,
by number of deaths reported*
0 deaths 1 death 2 or more deaths
41
146
1,076
45
151
995
50
167
1,208
52
166
1,125
55
231
1,246
58
211
1,167
60
191
1,324
60
218
1,190
63
246
1,353
63
219
1,269
64
197
1,278
62
228
1,137
64
253
1,121
64
203
1,048
65
195
1,056
62
233
986
67
203
950
66
221
1,015
63
218
917
63
235
922
59

206

1,099

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Includes all local jails that reported data on populations or deaths. See Methodology.
*Median is calculated using the average daily population of all jails with that number of deaths.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 18
Number of local jail inmates held on an average day, by state, 2000–2019
State
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total
597,908 638,207 667,730 687,597 715,210 741,577 771,511 781,673 778,716 747,932 732,013 720,879 745,238 712,678 729,362 712,086 717,689 729,063 730,929 718,496
Alabama
12,951 11,857 13,380 12,613 13,454 14,653 14,921 15,858 16,156 13,868 15,054 15,333 14,944 13,333 13,590 13,393 14,074 15,150 16,247 16,232
Alaska*
60
81
97
79
105
80
70
64
52
70
64
73
104
82
85
76
72
72
57
59
Arizona
10,859 13,590 12,704 13,815 14,648 15,302 15,085 16,539 17,844 15,043 13,242 13,467 14,542 14,355 13,961 13,764 13,154 13,237 12,991 13,257
Arkansas
5,271 5,571 6,111 6,248 6,167 6,023 6,402 6,986 7,373 7,453 7,420 7,189 7,447 6,750 7,824 8,098 8,183 8,802 9,126 9,278
California
72,508 71,125 75,543 76,134 77,920 81,923 81,752 83,462 83,493 81,629 74,808 71,759 79,491 81,696 82,116 75,180 76,131 76,650 75,570 74,628
Colorado
9,179 10,394 11,107 11,713 11,555 13,243 13,871 13,540 13,111 13,207 12,703 11,779 12,396 12,323 11,947 12,121 12,910 12,574 13,391 12,617
District of Columbia
1,656 1,618 3,161 2,268 3,477 2,318 3,473 3,142 2,987 3,089 3,037 3,011 2,455 2,288 1,969 1,814 1,858 1,836 2,047 1,798
Florida
49,358 50,056 54,638 53,556 60,056 63,134 64,331 66,449 66,250 61,070 58,313 57,330 56,412 52,710 53,401 53,739 52,544 54,681 55,204 54,357
Georgia
33,332 35,205 37,683 39,279 41,957 44,262 45,479 44,680 47,343 46,125 46,811 44,034 44,322 36,633 40,974 38,140 40,376 41,997 39,573 41,877
Idaho
2,668 2,964 3,280 3,402 2,946 3,939 3,929 4,062 3,938 3,750 3,529 3,718 3,728 3,535 3,744 3,722 3,803 4,154 4,288 4,306
Illinois
17,452 19,701 20,691 21,478 20,370 29,744 20,391 20,660 20,966 19,601 20,224 20,666 21,376 22,173 19,954 18,791 18,456 17,272 16,746 16,592
Indiana
12,760 16,958 14,752 15,398 16,447 17,415 18,716 17,246 17,811 18,302 17,703 17,342 17,533 16,146 16,765 16,306 18,278 19,439 20,641 20,347
Iowa
3,046 3,109 3,612 3,853 3,620 4,167 4,023 4,158 4,085 3,891 3,993 4,099 4,264 4,051 4,243 4,477 4,427 4,899 4,932 4,880
Kansas
5,093 5,657 6,163 7,437 6,864 7,412 7,721 7,383 7,668 6,992 7,692 7,236 6,961 7,100 7,453 7,279 7,544 7,579 8,069 7,966
Kentucky
11,492 19,129 13,954 14,429 16,382 16,380 16,906 18,129 18,070 17,803 17,460 18,252 19,537 17,995 20,602 20,776 22,735 23,789 24,877 23,884
Louisiana
22,744 26,967 27,229 27,824 28,640 29,863 25,979 29,801 29,060 29,572 32,199 31,022 32,651 27,151 29,667 29,181 29,192 29,177 29,724 32,161
Maine
1,297 1,411 1,508 1,572 1,484 1,567 1,767 1,630 1,598 1,571 1,062 1,322 1,299 1,073 1,371 1,343 1,352 1,278 1,685 1,670
Maryland
10,471 10,960 12,069 12,545 12,974 12,696 13,039 14,005 13,577 12,205 12,398 12,423 12,233 12,063 11,164 9,804 8,879 9,587 8,892 9,121
Massachusetts
9,427 11,040 11,745 12,342 13,114 12,485 13,873 13,527 13,309 13,184 10,724 10,326 9,616 10,471 10,238 10,543 10,775 10,454 9,060 8,038
Michigan
15,869 16,460 16,644 16,713 17,956 18,197 18,739 18,436 17,676 17,001 16,457 16,541 17,089 17,203 16,898 15,480 16,476 16,357 16,412 15,604
Minnesota
4,958 5,663 5,954 6,408 7,033 7,265 7,286 7,582 7,105 6,651 6,733 6,468 6,423 6,524 6,827 7,188 7,145 7,293 7,135 6,624
Mississippi
9,885 9,280 10,160 10,872 10,495 10,984 10,981 11,811 11,057 9,732 10,501 10,601 12,620 11,575 12,802 14,376 14,601 13,157 13,279 13,364
Missouri
7,588 8,176 8,992 9,391 10,014 10,266 11,234 10,652 11,653 11,503 10,646 11,500 12,375 11,757 11,259 11,431 11,754 13,013 13,066 11,838
Montana
1,291 1,884 1,804 1,921 2,011 2,084 1,981 1,721 1,781 1,718 1,950 1,032 1,968 2,795 2,317 2,473 2,511 2,580 2,516 2,549
Nebraska
2,140 2,365 2,494 2,485 2,855 2,962 2,741 2,940 3,135 3,427 3,391 3,406 3,442 3,530 3,459 3,560 3,669 3,900 4,001 4,168
Nevada
5,216 5,407 5,656 7,537 6,869 6,144 6,479 7,638 7,531 7,737 7,410 7,083 6,922 6,902 7,070 6,841 7,004 7,189 7,738 6,967
New Hampshire
887 1,376 1,550 1,561 1,658 1,841 2,048 2,039 2,024 2,108 2,103 2,063 2,143 2,012 2,200 1,830 1,868 1,799 1,539 1,456
New Jersey
15,102 15,683 16,295 16,858 17,384 18,035 19,096 18,403 17,824 16,426 15,955 15,280 16,193 16,398 14,997 14,333 13,601 10,655 9,628 8,552
New Mexico
5,918 6,426 6,611 7,387 8,091 8,585 9,031 8,753 9,089 8,273 8,886 8,297 8,408 8,474 8,256 8,370 7,338 6,713 6,267 6,535
New York
27,403 28,709 30,640 30,488 30,588 30,778 32,229 31,335 30,304 29,877 30,122 29,793 28,259 26,959 25,946 25,540 22,345 20,800 21,637 20,006
North Carolina
12,276 12,901 15,103 15,319 16,454 17,958 18,295 19,104 19,382 16,470 18,601 18,288 19,168 18,825 18,964 18,107 18,818 19,920 20,342 20,220
North Dakota
619
650
746
828
876
997
963
889
962
897
947 1,111 1,190 1,088 1,418 1,449 1,382 1,697 1,445 1,457
Ohio
16,118 16,948 18,626 19,592 19,701 19,594 20,664 20,539 19,254 19,944 17,454 17,788 18,704 18,384 19,110 18,612 17,576 20,385 20,913 20,273
Oklahoma
7,228 7,243 7,534 8,206 9,114 10,053 10,988 10,796 10,062 10,493 8,632 8,654 9,544 9,447 12,484 12,455 12,593 10,207 12,288 13,454
Oregon
6,685 7,593 6,354 6,583 6,510 6,812 6,684 8,296 6,304 5,803 5,890 5,872 7,844 5,678 5,985 5,887 5,887 7,846 5,758 5,874
Pennsylvania
28,248 30,296 33,240 32,227 32,934 34,264 36,168 38,221 37,350 38,010 35,444 36,290 37,519 37,334 37,765 36,602 35,086 34,767 32,779 30,740

Continued on next page
Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 18 (continued)
Number of local jail inmates held on an average day, by state, 2000–2019
State
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
8,752
1,163
20,168
57,999
5,378
20,021
8,638
2,824
12,986
924

2001
10,565
1,138
20,163
54,639
5,616
22,154
12,289
3,240
12,865
1,085

2002
12,181
1,296
20,859
56,185
5,817
23,612
12,095
3,068
13,557
1,230

2003
11,009
1,347
22,941
60,223
6,271
24,943
11,808
3,289
14,063
1,342

2004
11,590
1,514
23,086
62,907
6,517
25,488
11,867
3,622
14,397
1,499

2005
12,104
1,562
24,124
53,967
6,407
26,567
12,899
4,081
14,908
1,534

2006
12,749
1,645
32,363
68,106
6,567
28,407
13,390
4,321
15,098
1,532

2007
13,608
1,537
25,077
69,284
6,881
29,561
13,727
4,331
15,641
1,553

2008
13,634
1,417
26,446
69,392
6,929
28,824
13,461
4,336
15,401
1,694

2009
12,654
1,626
25,708
67,513
6,928
28,276
13,076
3,879
12,157
1,620

2010
12,236
1,572
22,875
67,297
7,267
29,003
12,350
4,145
14,143
1,567

2011
11,970
1,505
23,521
66,599
7,194
27,313
12,988
3,882
13,965
1,494

2012
12,232
1,746
24,292
67,815
7,288
30,013
12,008
4,351
12,835
1,536

2013
11,592
1,845
24,882
63,724
6,446
27,783
10,920
4,466
12,625
1,582

2014
11,569
1,732
24,553
64,614
7,441
29,984
12,264
4,292
12,501
1,587

2015
11,256
1,768
26,989
64,835
7,110
26,782
11,832
4,290
12,621
1,522

2016
10,086
1,880
28,239
67,156
7,137
27,910
12,034
4,356
12,932
1,562

2017
11,706
2,033
29,110
66,506
7,695
28,965
12,654
4,690
13,464
1,335

2018
11,794
2,147
29,970
68,662
7,460
28,294
12,253
5,251
13,795
1,440

2019
11,196
2,058
29,851
67,122
7,240
27,603
11,653
4,984
12,529
1,511

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont each operate a combined prison and jail system. For data on these states,
see Mortality in State and Federal Prisons, 2001–2019 – Statistical Tables (NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021). See Methodology.
*Prisons and jails form one integrated system. Counts include only data for 15 locally operated jails and exclude data for state-operated prisons and jails.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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TabLE 19
Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by state, 2000–2019
State
Total
Alabama
Alaska*
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania

2000
903
24
0
15
9
109
13
4
82
38
3
31
21
2
9
16
10
2
22
5
23
6
9
16
3
5
15
3
31
15
57
15
1
23
15
10
38

2001
942
27
0
18
13
124
16
0
98
39
3
21
21
4
9
13
22
2
20
10
17
8
12
14
1
5
18
2
17
9
52
17
1
20
18
10
50

2002
969
21
0
24
14
131
14
10
79
49
1
22
14
3
12
12
22
7
20
16
18
6
17
8
5
6
6
5
17
9
51
32
2
30
9
7
51

2003
1,001
15
0
16
22
125
13
12
85
45
2
30
23
1
10
14
32
3
25
9
26
9
17
17
5
2
6
3
38
7
47
22
2
30
13
7
53

2004
1,021
23
0
12
13
120
11
13
86
54
1
41
18
4
15
16
41
2
15
8
20
9
17
6
3
4
8
3
34
17
43
21
1
18
14
15
66

2005
1,045
23
0
27
7
156
18
11
79
41
7
25
16
4
11
22
31
1
23
21
29
8
16
10
6
2
14
1
32
11
51
17
0
24
18
8
57

2006
1,094
34
0
19
11
126
13
12
99
46
5
37
26
3
10
21
26
5
27
14
21
11
18
13
1
6
9
4
36
21
52
21
2
26
21
11
56

2007
1,099
21
0
21
10
128
21
10
103
44
7
31
18
5
7
25
31
1
32
14
18
8
18
25
2
2
10
4
34
15
52
28
1
26
24
3
55

2008
959
19
0
12
15
106
21
7
77
55
1
29
11
2
12
22
34
1
25
17
12
4
14
17
2
5
8
2
27
11
32
19
1
23
17
15
44

2009
961
20
0
11
5
138
14
8
88
45
6
29
16
6
11
18
22
2
20
18
20
3
13
20
6
7
14
5
25
11
37
23
2
26
18
7
37

2010
918
28
0
16
7
121
20
4
57
48
3
23
22
3
10
21
26
3
24
16
18
10
14
21
3
6
8
1
29
17
37
24
2
23
18
9
31

2011
888
18
1
9
16
92
12
7
66
46
5
21
21
8
10
16
20
7
21
5
24
6
14
12
8
5
13
4
20
23
36
17
1
28
12
8
46

2012
960
18
1
10
10
113
9
2
69
47
4
23
19
4
11
22
42
0
17
14
17
7
9
27
3
4
12
3
25
16
40
25
3
33
13
3
59

2013
987
19
0
14
15
129
20
6
68
47
6
33
18
9
17
13
37
1
21
14
21
5
15
19
5
7
10
1
23
10
40
21
5
30
16
4
41

2014
1,053
21
0
17
17
146
20
3
83
42
6
30
27
6
10
20
38
4
14
18
34
9
18
17
2
8
10
1
32
10
37
23
3
29
19
9
48

2015
1,096
24
0
26
13
135
25
1
83
40
3
29
21
6
14
23
35
1
17
12
21
8
19
21
6
3
18
0
26
15
32
33
2
31
16
14
54

2016
1,076
23
0
23
11
122
27
5
82
48
4
28
19
12
19
16
35
3
19
13
21
10
17
18
3
5
14
7
25
18
33
21
2
29
32
6
47

2017
1,103
18
0
29
11
133
27
7
98
45
4
24
26
3
11
16
46
2
20
18
23
14
11
23
4
12
12
4
18
11
17
36
1
40
9
13
49

2018
1,138
23
0
29
18
121
21
2
104
46
7
20
20
3
17
30
44
3
16
13
26
9
14
28
6
8
13
4
19
7
29
32
6
48
16
11
59

2019
1,200
30
0
26
11
154
34
3
117
59
8
30
35
5
14
24
29
3
16
10
17
8
21
28
4
4
16
6
14
16
22
35
0
41
18
12
63

Continued on next page
Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

24

■

TabLE 19 (continued)
Number of deaths of local jail inmates, by state, 2000–2019
State
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
17
4
28
97
6
34
8
2
7
0

2001
23
2
28
84
6
41
10
6
11
0

2002
17
1
29
96
13
36
11
2
12
2

2003
11
0
23
96
7
42
16
6
11
3

2004
16
1
39
99
11
33
11
5
10
4

2005
19
3
36
89
10
30
11
6
11
3

2006
21
1
30
98
7
36
19
6
11
2

2007
14
1
35
90
11
59
15
4
15
1

2008
19
2
37
86
6
49
17
6
17
1

2009
15
2
32
76
12
39
14
7
11
2

2010
19
0
20
84
8
29
16
5
13
1

2011
7
1
39
69
14
42
16
7
14
1

2012
22
0
34
72
11
40
20
10
13
4

2013
21
2
27
99
16
28
16
6
10
2

2014
15
1
29
73
19
48
19
8
7
3

2015
18
6
36
98
11
43
28
10
13
6

2016
14
8
43
87
22
34
16
11
21
3

2017
29
0
42
92
7
44
19
10
24
1

2018
19
2
50
85
7
42
31
11
18
1

2019
22
1
39
95
11
38
30
14
15
2

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont each operate a combined prison and jail system. For data on these states,
see Mortality in State and Federal Prisons, 2001–2019 – Statistical Tables (NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021). See Methodology.
*Prisons and jails form one integrated system. Counts include only deaths in 15 locally operated jails and exclude deaths in state-operated prisons and jails.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

25

■

TabLE 20
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by state, 2000–2019
State
Total
Alabama
Alaska*
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania

2000
151
185
0
138
171 !
150
142
242 !
166
114
112 !
178
165
66 !
177 !
139
44
154 !
210
53 !
145
121 !
91 !
211
232 !
234 !
288
338 !
205
253
208
122
162 !
143
208
150
135

2001
148
228
0
132
233
174
154
0
196
111
101 !
107
124
129 !
159 !
68
82
142 !
182
91
103
141 !
129
171
53 !
211 !
333
145 !
108
140 !
181
132
154 !
118
249
132
165

2002
145
157
0
189
229
173
126
316
145
130
30 !
106
95
83 !
195
86
81
464 !
166
136
108
101 !
167
89 !
277 !
241 !
106 !
323 !
104
136 !
166
212
268 !
161
119 !
110 !
153

2003
146
119
0
116
352
164
111
529
159
115
59 !
140
149
26 !
134
97
115
191 !
199
73 !
156
140 !
156
181
260 !
80 !
80 !
192 !
225
95 !
154
144
242 !
153
158
106 !
164

2004
143
171
0
82
211
154
95
374
143
129
34 !
201
109
110 !
219
98
143
135 !
116
61 !
111
128 !
162
60 !
149 !
140 !
116 !
181 !
196
210
141
128
114 !
91
154
230
200

2005
141
157
0
176
116 !
190
136
475
125
93
178 !
84
92
96 !
148
134
104
64 !
181
168
159
110 !
146
97
288 !
68 !
228
54 !
177
128
166
95
0
122
179
117 !
166

2006
142
228
0
126
172
154
94
346
154
101
127 !
181
139
75 !
130
124
100
283 !
207
101
112
151
164
116
50 !
219 !
139 !
195 !
189
233
161
115
208 !
126
191
165
155

2007
141
132
0
127
143
153
155
318
155
98
172 !
150
104
120 !
95 !
138
104
61 !
228
103
98
106 !
152
235
116 !
68 !
131
196 !
185
171
166
147
113 !
127
222
36 !
144

2008
123
118
0
67
203
127
160
234 !
116
116
25 !
138
62
49 !
156
122
117
63 !
184
128
68
56 !
127
146
112 !
159 !
106 !
99 !
151
121
106
98
104 !
119
169
238
118

2009
128
144
0
73
67 !
169
106
259 !
144
98
160 !
148
87
154 !
157
101
74
127 !
164
137
118
45 !
134
174
349 !
204 !
181
237 !
152
133
124
140
223 !
130
172
121 !
97

2010 2011
125
123
186
117
0 1,370 !
121
67 !
94 !
223
162
128
157
102
132 !
232 !
98
115
103
104
85 !
134 !
114
102
124
121
75 !
195 !
130
138
120
88
81
64
282 !
530 !
194
169
149
48 !
109
145
149
93 !
133
132
197
104
154 !
775 !
177 !
147 !
108 !
184
48 !
194 !
182
131
191
277
123
121
129
93
211 !
90 !
132
157
209
139
153 !
136 !
87
127

2012
129
120
962 !
69
134
142
73 !
81 !
122
106
107 !
108
108
94 !
158
113
129
0
139
146
99
109 !
71 !
218
152 !
116 !
173
140 !
154
190
142
130
252 !
176
136
38 !
157

2013
138
143
0
98
222
158
162
262 !
129
128
170 !
149
111
222 !
239
72
136
93 !
174
134
122
77 !
130
162
179 !
198 !
145
50 !
140
118
148
112
460 !
163
169
70 !
110

2014
144
155
0
122
217
178
167
152 !
155
103
160 !
150
161
141 !
134
97
128
292 !
125
176
201
132 !
141
151
86 !
231 !
141
45 !
213
121
143
121
212 !
152
152
150 !
127

2015
154
179
0
189
161
180
206
55 !
154
105
81 !
154
129
134 !
192
111
120
74 !
173
114
136
111 !
132
184
243 !
84 !
263
0
181
179
125
182
138 !
167
128
238
148

2016
150
163
0
175
134
160
209
269 !
156
119
105 !
152
104
271
252
70
120
222 !
214
121
127
140
116
153
119 !
136 !
200
375 !
184
245
148
112
145 !
165
254
102 !
134

2017
151
119
0
219
125
174
215
381 !
179
107
96 !
139
134
61 !
145
67
158
156 !
209
172
141
192
84
177
155 !
308
167
222 !
169
164
82
181
59 !
196
88 !
166
141

2018
156
142
0
223
197
160
157
98 !
188
116
163 !
119
97
61 !
211
121
148
178 !
180
143
158
126 !
105
214
238 !
200 !
168
260 !
197
112 !
134
157
415 !
230
130
191
180

2019
167
185
0
196
119
206
269
167 !
215
141
186 !
181
172
102 !
176
100
90
180 !
175
124
109
121 !
157
237
157 !
96 !
230
412 !
164
245
110
173
0
202
134
204
205

Continued on next page
Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

26

■

TabLE 20 (continued)
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by state, 2000–2019
State
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
194
344 !
139
167
112 !
170
93 !
71 !
54 !
0

2001
218
176 !
139
154
107 !
185
81
185 !
86
0

2002
140
77 !
139
171
223
152
91
65 !
89
163 !

2003
100
0
100
159
112 !
168
136
182 !
78
224 !

2004
138
66 !
169
157
169
129
93
138 !
69
267 !

2005
157
192 !
149
165
156
113
85
147 !
74
196 !

2006
165
61 !
93
144
107 !
127
142
139 !
73
131 !

2007
103
65 !
140
130
160
200
109
92 !
96
64 !

2008
139
141 !
140
124
87 !
170
126
138 !
110
59 !

2009
119
123 !
124
113
173
138
107
180 !
90
123 !

2010
155
0
87
125
110 !
100
130
121 !
92
64 !

2011
58 !
66 !
166
104
195
154
123
180 !
100
67 !

2012
180
0
140
106
151
133
167
230
101
260 !

2013
181
108 !
109
155
248
101
147
134 !
79
126 !

2014
130
58 !
118
113
255
160
155
186 !
56 !
189 !

2015
160
339 !
133
151
155
161
237
233
103
394 !

2016
139
426 !
152
130
308
122
133
253
162
192 !

2017
248
0
144
138
91 !
152
150
213
178
75 !

2018
161
93 !
167
124
94 !
148
253
209
130
69 !

2019
196
49 !
131
142
152
138
257
281
120
132 !

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of
deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, the ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts. Mortality rates are not adjusted for demographic
differences among states. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont each operate a combined prison and jail system. For data on these states, see Mortality in State and Federal Prisons,
2001–2019 – Statistical Tables (NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021). See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
*Prisons and jails form one integrated system. Counts include only deaths in 15 locally operated jails and exclude deaths in state-operated prisons and jails.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

27

■

TabLE 21
Number of local jail jurisdictions reporting to Mortality in Correctional Institutions, by state, 2000–2019
State
Total
Alabama
Alaskab
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania

2000
2,984
151
15
16
85
65
55
1
68
176
39
90
90
94
95
80
87
15
24
13
83
71
91
124
41
64
20
10
21
34
58
96
23
97
100
33
63

2001
2,969
149
15
15
84
64
55
1
68
174
38
89
91
93
95
78
86
15
24
13
83
71
90
124
41
63
20
10
21
35
58
96
23
96
100
33
63

2002
2,954
147
15
15
84
64
55
1
68
174
38
90
90
93
95
80
85
15
24
13
82
71
89
124
40
63
20
10
21
35
58
96
23
96
100
33
63

2003
2,937
146
14
15
83
64
55
1
68
172
38
90
90
93
95
79
85
15
24
13
82
71
88
123
40
63
20
10
21
34
58
96
23
93
99
33
63

2004
2,920
145
14
15
82
64
55
1
67
170
38
89
90
93
95
79
85
15
24
13
82
71
88
119
41
63
20
10
21
34
58
94
23
93
98
33
63

2005
2,894
142
15
15
83
64
55
1
67
167
38
90
90
93
95
76
83
15
24
13
82
71
85
118
40
63
20
10
21
32
58
94
23
93
96
32
63

2006
2,866
136
15
15
81
63
53
1
67
164
38
90
90
93
94
74
83
15
24
13
81
71
84
119
40
62
20
10
21
32
58
94
22
92
94
32
63

2007
2,845
132
15
15
81
62
53
1
67
162
37
90
90
93
94
74
83
14
24
13
81
71
84
118
40
62
20
10
21
32
58
94
21
91
93
32
63

2008
2,831
125
15
15
81
62
53
1
67
159
37
90
90
93
93
74
84
14
24
13
81
70
83
118
40
62
20
10
21
32
58
93
21
91
93
32
63

2009
2,742
115
14
15
76
61
53
1
65
151
35
90
89
92
90
70
79
14
23
13
81
69
80
110
36
61
20
10
20
29
57
89
22
91
88
31
63

2010
2,747
117
15
15
71
61
52
1
66
152
34
90
89
90
92
72
82
11
24
13
81
71
77
113
38
61
20
10
21
29
57
92
22
90
90
31
63

2011
2,738
115
15
15
73
60
50
1
66
153
34
88
90
93
90
73
75
12
24
13
80
70
77
113
37
60
20
10
21
31
58
93
22
93
88
30
63

2012
2,797
122
15
15
77
61
52
1
67
157
35
90
90
93
93
75
83
12
24
13
81
71
83
114
37
61
20
10
21
31
56
93
22
93
89
31
63

2013a
2,695
116
15
15
66
60
54
1
64
144
36
89
88
92
95
74
76
11
24
11
79
77
67
107
35
60
18
10
21
31
55
90
22
98
79
32
60

2014
2,779
122
14
16
75
60
54
1
67
152
36
87
90
92
94
76
81
12
24
12
80
78
78
110
36
61
18
10
20
32
54
92
23
98
90
34
62

2015
2,792
123
15
16
73
61
54
1
67
153
36
91
90
96
95
75
82
12
24
13
78
77
82
109
36
62
19
10
20
31
56
91
23
97
88
34
61

2016
2,786
125
15
16
71
59
55
1
67
148
36
91
91
95
96
77
80
12
23
13
80
77
82
110
36
61
19
10
19
31
53
93
23
97
90
34
60

2017
2,810
125
15
16
72
60
55
1
67
147
36
87
90
95
94
76
82
12
24
13
80
77
75
113
36
61
19
10
18
30
53
93
24
131
88
34
61

2018
2,810
125
15
16
71
62
56
1
66
147
35
90
91
94
95
75
89
13
23
12
77
77
79
108
36
62
19
10
18
29
55
93
22
128
91
36
62

2019
2,770
124
15
16
72
61
55
1
65
149
36
91
91
92
91
73
87
14
24
12
78
77
76
106
34
59
18
10
18
31
56
90
22
125
90
36
62

Continued on next page
Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

28

■

TabLE 21 (continued)
Number of local jail jurisdictions reporting to Mortality in Correctional Institutions, by state, 2000–2019
State
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
46
28
97
248
26
73
58
28
70
22

2001
46
29
97
247
26
72
58
28
70
22

2002
46
29
96
246
26
72
58
19
70
22

2003
45
29
96
245
26
72
57
18
70
22

2004
45
29
96
242
26
72
57
16
70
22

2005
45
28
96
242
26
69
56
13
70
22

2006
45
28
95
242
26
66
56
12
70
22

2007
45
28
94
237
26
64
56
12
70
22

2008
45
28
94
236
26
64
56
12
70
22

2009
45
26
89
230
26
65
56
11
69
22

2010
42
27
88
227
26
66
55
11
70
22

2011
44
25
88
226
25
66
55
10
70
23

2012
45
27
94
232
26
63
55
11
70
23

2013a
44
27
89
223
24
59
55
11
68
23

2014
45
26
93
228
26
62
55
11
69
23

2015
45
27
92
233
25
59
56
11
71
22

2016
44
25
93
233
26
59
56
11
71
22

2017
45
26
94
231
26
59
55
11
71
22

2018
45
26
92
230
25
58
53
11
71
21

2019
44
25
90
220
25
57
51
11
69
21

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont each operate a combined prison and jail system. For data on these states,
see Mortality in State and Federal Prisons, 2001–2019 – Statistical Tables (NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021). See Methodology.
aIn 2013, the response rate for Mortality in Correctional Institutions decreased to 94.2% due to a lengthened data collection form. The response rate was 99.7% in 2012.
bPrisons and jails form one integrated system. Counts include only data for 15 locally operated jails and exclude data for state-operated prisons and jails.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

29

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TabLE 22
Number of local jail jurisdictions reporting one or more deaths to Mortality in Correctional Institutions, by state, 2000–2019
State
Total
Alabama
Alaska*
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania

2000
434
15
0
5
7
30
6
1
23
24
3
7
11
2
8
11
5
2
7
3
12
5
8
10
3
5
7
3
12
9
12
13
1
13
10
4
15

2001
484
22
0
5
10
32
7
0
30
28
2
6
17
4
9
10
15
2
9
6
8
8
11
10
1
5
8
2
10
7
10
17
1
14
11
7
21

2002
484
20
0
7
10
29
11
1
27
33
1
11
11
3
10
9
15
5
3
7
13
6
12
7
4
6
3
5
7
6
17
18
2
16
7
4
23

2003
510
14
0
4
16
35
6
1
27
31
2
20
15
1
9
13
16
3
10
5
18
8
15
14
5
2
4
2
12
5
15
15
2
19
7
4
19

2004
518
16
0
4
11
32
9
1
31
29
1
14
15
3
10
14
24
1
6
5
15
7
15
6
3
4
5
2
12
8
12
17
1
15
6
7
28

2005
522
22
0
7
4
34
12
1
29
33
7
11
14
4
11
12
15
1
9
8
17
6
13
9
4
2
6
1
11
4
12
16
0
17
13
6
18

2006
539
25
0
5
10
27
10
1
30
29
5
13
19
3
7
15
17
5
11
8
15
9
15
10
1
5
4
3
12
8
12
17
2
17
12
7
20

2007
533
16
0
5
7
31
11
1
33
33
7
15
12
5
6
17
16
1
6
7
14
6
13
17
2
2
5
3
15
10
13
17
1
19
13
3
25

2008
502
15
0
5
11
30
13
1
25
29
1
13
10
2
11
15
24
1
7
8
12
4
13
12
2
5
6
2
12
6
9
14
1
16
9
9
16

2009
503
17
0
5
4
33
6
1
31
27
6
9
11
5
7
16
16
2
10
9
10
2
11
16
6
3
6
4
11
4
18
18
2
16
12
5
19

2010
502
24
0
6
6
28
11
1
23
30
2
12
15
3
6
19
16
3
9
8
12
8
11
19
2
5
5
1
12
10
11
19
2
15
13
5
15

2011
521
16
1
4
13
28
7
1
28
30
4
14
16
7
9
15
13
5
11
3
13
6
12
10
6
4
5
4
10
12
18
12
1
18
9
5
21

2012
539
17
1
3
8
29
7
1
27
35
4
15
15
4
8
16
25
0
9
5
12
5
8
20
2
2
6
2
13
9
14
23
1
22
12
3
23

2013
545
18
0
4
11
36
12
1
32
30
6
12
14
7
11
10
23
1
9
7
12
5
10
15
4
6
7
1
10
8
15
19
5
21
10
4
21

2014
580
19
0
6
10
38
17
1
30
27
5
15
18
6
9
15
24
4
8
10
17
7
16
15
2
7
5
1
12
8
20
18
3
18
10
7
21

2015
591
20
0
6
9
37
10
1
33
26
3
15
15
6
8
17
24
1
10
5
12
8
18
16
5
3
5
0
12
8
15
24
2
22
11
10
23

2016
573
18
0
7
10
32
14
1
35
29
3
17
14
10
12
15
24
3
10
5
13
10
15
10
3
3
5
4
10
11
12
18
2
19
15
5
19

2017
579
16
0
9
9
31
16
1
28
30
4
11
19
3
9
16
25
2
9
8
15
10
8
18
4
5
5
3
12
8
8
27
1
27
6
9
27

2018
613
17
0
9
12
32
11
1
35
24
6
16
15
2
13
20
24
3
10
6
12
7
12
19
5
8
5
3
9
4
15
22
6
29
14
11
24

2019
636
17
0
9
10
38
19
1
34
37
5
15
20
4
10
21
18
3
11
7
13
7
14
21
4
4
7
4
7
10
14
26
0
28
13
11
27

Continued on next page
Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

30

■

TabLE 22 (continued)
Number of local jail jurisdictions reporting one or more deaths to Mortality in Correctional Institutions, by state, 2000–2019
State
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
11
4
16
50
3
21
8
2
7
0

2001
14
2
13
40
5
24
7
6
8
0

2002
14
1
15
40
4
22
7
2
8
2

2003
7
0
13
42
5
20
10
6
10
3

2004
14
1
24
47
8
17
6
5
4
3

2005
15
3
19
49
4
19
11
2
8
3

2006
14
1
15
49
3
22
11
5
8
2

2007
10
1
19
38
8
26
8
3
12
1

2008
15
2
22
37
2
27
10
5
12
1

2009
10
2
19
43
6
20
9
5
9
2

2010
12
0
14
41
5
18
10
4
10
1

2011
6
1
21
43
8
22
12
5
11
1

2012
17
0
20
40
4
21
9
8
12
2

2013
14
2
11
52
6
19
10
4
8
2

2014
13
1
18
40
6
27
11
5
7
3

2015
13
4
24
45
7
23
15
5
10
5

2016
11
6
21
39
11
19
11
9
11
2

2017
13
0
24
44
4
21
12
6
15
1

2018
12
2
26
47
4
24
14
8
14
1

2019
18
1
21
44
5
24
15
6
11
2

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont each operate a combined prison and jail system. For data on these states,
see Mortality in State and Federal Prisons, 2001–2019 – Statistical Tables (NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021). See Methodology.
*Prisons and jails form one integrated system. Counts include only deaths in 15 locally operated jails and exclude deaths in state-operated prisons and jails.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019.

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Methodology
Data collection coverage
Te Mortality in Correctional Institutions (MCI),
formerly the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program
(DCRP), was an annual Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS) data collection from 2000 to 2019. Te MCI
obtained national-, state-, and incident-level data on
adults who died while in the physical custody of the
50 state departments of corrections (DOCs) or in
the physical custody of the approximately 2,800 local
jail jurisdictions with adult populations nationwide.
Tis methodology pertains to the local jail portion of
the MCI collection only. BJS defnes a jail as a locally
operated correctional facility that confnes persons
before or afer adjudication for more than 72 hours,
excluding temporary lockups. See Mortality in State
and Federal Prisons, 2001–2019 – Statistical Tables
(NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021) for data and the
methodology on deaths in prisons.
Te DCRP began in 2000 in response to the Death in
Custody Reporting Act of 2000 (DICRA; P.L. 106–297)
and was the only national statistical collection
providing comprehensive information about deaths
in adult correctional facilities. Starting in 2000, BJS
collected annual data directly from the approximately
2,800 jail jurisdictions in the U.S. and maintained an
average annual response rate of 98%. BJS used these
data to track national trends in the number and causes
or manners of deaths occurring in local jails. In 2017,
BJS changed the name of the DCRP to MCI to more
accurately describe the data collection.
BJS ceased collection of mortality data in state and
local correctional facilities afer the 2019 data year.
When DICRA was reauthorized in 2014 (P.L. 113–242),
it included additional enforcement and reporting
compliance requirements that are incompatible with
BJS’s authorizing statute as a federal statistical agency.
Te U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) determined it
would be more appropriate for the Bureau of Justice
Assistance (BJA) to administer the program and
collect mortality data for the DOJ, starting with the
frst quarter of fscal year 2019 (October to December
2019). State DOCs and local jails now report their
death information on a quarterly basis to centralized
state agencies, which compile and submit this to
BJA to comply with all applicable requirements
in P.L. 113–242.

Mortality data measured by the MCI included the
location and type of facility where the incarcerated
person died, decedent characteristics (sex, race or
ethnicity, and age), admission date, conviction status,
and admission ofense. Te MCI also collected data on
the circumstances surrounding the death (the cause,
time, and location of death), whether an autopsy was
conducted, and the availability of autopsy results to the
respondent. Data on executions are excluded from this
report but are accessible on the BJS website.1 Statistics
for 2000 to 2019 presented in this report are considered
fnal as of February 18, 2021.
For more information on mortality in correctional
settings, see—
ƒ Mortality in State and Federal Prisons, 2001–2019 –
Statistical Tables (NCJ 300953, BJS, December 2021)
ƒ Suicide in Local Jails and State and Federal Prisons,
2000–2019 – Statistical Tables (NCJ 300731, BJS,
October 2021)
ƒ Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2018 – Statistical
Tables (NCJ 256002, BJS, April 2021)
ƒ Mortality in State and Federal Prisons, 2001–2018 –
Statistical Tables (NCJ 255970, BJS, April 2021)
ƒ Assessing Inmate Cause of Death: Deaths in Custody
Reporting Program and National Death Index
(NCJ 249568, BJS, April 2016)
ƒ Suicide and Homicide in State Prisons and Local Jails
(NCJ 210036, BJS, August 2005).
Te MCI instruments for collecting jail data were
administered annually to local jails. Respondents
provided an aggregate count of the number of deaths
that occurred during the referenced calendar year
(CJ-9A/CJ-10A) and provided forms describing
individual deaths (CJ-9). Te jail survey instruments
are available on the BJS website. Respondents
submitted individual records on decedents at any time
during a collection cycle through a BJS web-based
collection system. In addition to the death count,
jails were asked to provide summary statistics about
their population and admissions. All jails, including
those with no reportable deaths (about 80% of jails in
any given year), were asked to complete the annual
summary form.
1See Capital Punishment, 2019 – Statistical Tables (NCJ 300381,

BJS, June 2021).

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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Nonresponse
Te jail universe includes all jails currently operating
and excludes those BJS contacted for the MCI that
have closed, consolidated, or otherwise eliminated
operations. Tis universe allows BJS to determine
jail participation in the MCI. Te most recent jail
universe identifed 2,907 jurisdictions that represented
3,130 jail facilities. Of these, 2,819 jurisdictions (97%)
participated in the MCI.
A jail jurisdiction is a legal entity that manages jail
facilities. Jail jurisdictions typically operate at the
county level, and a sherif ’s ofce or jail administrator
usually manages the local facilities. MCI data identify
the jail facility where an inmate died, but data are
summarized at the jail jurisdiction level.
Determining eligibility for reporting to the
Mortality in Correctional Institutions
In the MCI, custody refers to the physical holding of
a person in a facility or to the period during which a
correctional authority maintains a chain of custody
over such person. For instance, if a jail transports
an ill inmate to a hospital for medical services and
that person dies in the hospital while in the chain of
custody of the jail, then that death is counted as a death
in custody. A death that occurs when an inmate is not
in the custody of a correctional authority is considered
beyond the scope of the MCI. Deaths were considered
out of scope for inmates who were on escape status
or under the supervision of community corrections,
such as on probation, parole, or home electronic
monitoring. Local jail ofcials were asked to determine
whether the inmate was in the physical custody of
the jurisdiction at the time of death, regardless of the
reason the inmate was being held.
Custody is further complicated by the functions of
some sherifs’ ofces, including dual law enforcement
and jail administration. As a result, some deaths that
respondents reported as jail deaths occurred before the
jail had custody of the decedent. Deaths that occurred
in the process of arrest were identifed by BJS and
excluded by using information about the circumstances
surrounding the death.
Identifying and excluding duplicate records
Duplicate and out-of-scope records are excluded from
analysis in this report. Duplicate death records may
occur in the MCI due to overlapping correctional
populations or overlapping duties within correctional
facilities. For example, a state prison system may report

the death of a person who was transferred to a local jail
while serving a prison sentence. Tis death would be
counted by the local jail that had custody of the person
at the time of death. Te duplicate record from the
prison would be deleted.
To identify duplicate records, BJS reconciles the
aggregate summary counts of deaths that occurred
during a calendar year with the number of individual
records of death that were obtained from a reporting
jurisdiction. When discrepancies are identifed,
reporting jurisdictions are contacted for clarifcation.
However, even if summary counts and individual
reports are reconciled, duplicate records may exist if
multiple reporting units within a jurisdiction provide
reconciled data.
Duplicate records occur primarily in reports from jail
jurisdictions that have multiple reporting entities. To
identify duplicate records, records are compared based
on an inmate’s name, date of birth, date of death, and
date of admission into a correctional facility. Afer the
aggregate count review, deaths reported to both the
jail and prison MCI collections are identifed, which
most commonly occur when a local jail is housing an
inmate for the state DOC. Te death is counted under
the facility that had custody of the inmate at the time of
death, and the duplicate record is deleted.
Information on cause of death
MCI respondents are instructed to report on the
cause of death as determined by autopsy or another
ofcial medical investigation. For this collection,
deaths due to intoxication, accidents, suicides, and
homicides are considered discrete causes of death.
Although the manner and cause of death are distinct
from one another, no such distinction is made in the
MCI. When reporting a death due to illness, accident,
suicide, intoxication, or homicide, BJS requests that
respondents describe the events surrounding these
deaths. Clinical data specialists convert text entries
that describe illness-related deaths into standard
medical codes from the World Health Organization’s
International Statistical Classifcation of Diseases and
Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision.
Homicides include all types of intentional homicide
and involuntary manslaughter as determined by a
medical examiner or pathologist at autopsy. Homicide
counts include legal intervention homicides committed
while an inmate was trying to escape. Homicides
encompass cases that are ruled a homicide at autopsy
when events that led to the death occurred prior to

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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■

incarceration, such as a person who was shot outside of
custody and who later died from complications of the
gunshot wound while in custody.
Other BJS sources of correctional mortality data
BJS collects other data reported to the MCI on jail
mortality. Tese other collections include—
ƒƒ
the Census of Jails (COJ), which is conducted every
5 to 6 years and provides counts of inmate deaths in
local jails. Further discussion of the COJ is available
on the BJS website.
ƒƒ
the Survey of Jails in Indian Country (SJIC), which
provides aggregate counts of deaths in all known
correctional facilities in Indian country that are
operated by tribal authorities or the U.S. Department
of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Afairs. Further
discussion of the SJIC is available on the BJS website.
Reported statistics
Mortality data in this report include the number of
deaths and mortality rates by year, the cause of death,
selected decedent characteristics, and the state where
the death occurred.
Mortality rates are calculated per 100,000 local jail
inmates, with the denominators providing estimates of
the number of person-years of exposure in custody in
institutional corrections (person-years combines time
in jail with the number of inmates to measure actual
exposure to a jail setting). Te mortality rate in jails is
calculated as the number of deaths per year divided by
the inmate average daily population (ADP), with the
resulting quotient multiplied by 100,000. Te ADP for
jails is defned as the average daily number of inmates
held in a jail jurisdiction during a calendar year, from
January 1 through December 31.
Te ADP is used as the denominator for mortality
rates to accommodate the high turnover and daily
fuctuation in local jail populations. Compared to a
single-day inmate count, the ADP is a better indicator
of the number of days per year that an inmate is
exposed to the risk of death. Jail populations have a
much higher turnover than prison populations. Mean
length of stay is about 26 days in local jails, compared
to 2 years in state prisons.
Te jail ADP refects the annual number of admissions
and mean length of stay, and it can be expressed as
the product of these two values. When mean length
of stay is expressed in years, the ADP is equivalent to
the number of person-years spent by inmates during

a given year. ADP data are received directly from jails
through the MCI using the summary form CJ-9A.
Starting in 2002, BJS collected the ADP directly from
respondents. Prior to 2002, the jail ADP was calculated
by taking the average of the January 1 count from
the prior year and the December 31 count from the
reference year.
Both denominators provide for annualized mortality
rates, which are calculated separately by group or
characteristic. Te annualized mortality rates in state
prisons and local jails are comparable to annual crude,
or unadjusted, mortality rates reported by the National
Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Te NCHS calculates crude mortality rates as
the number of events for a period divided by the
population estimate at the midpoint of the period. For
general population mortality statistics, the NCHS uses
the midyear population to approximate the average
population that was exposed to risk of death during
any given year.2
Like the mortality rates reported by the NCHS, the
mortality rates of jail inmates reported in the MCI
annual statistical tables are crude, or unadjusted. Te
composition of the general population difers by sex,
race or ethnicity, and age from the population in local
jails, which in turn difers from the population in state
or federal prisons. In 2019, BJS adjusted the general
population in table 4 and fgure 3 of this report to
refect the sex, race or ethnicity, and age distribution of
local jails to permit direct comparisons. For details on
this adjustment, see Comparison of jail mortality rates
to the U.S. resident population.
Records on individual inmates that were collected
annually are included in the national death count.
Independent and jail-specifc counts are collected
in the annual summary form (CJ-9A/CJ-10A) and
serve as control death totals. If the death count in the
summary form fle is greater than the count in the fle
on individual inmates, the summary fle count is used
to calculate the jail mortality rate.
Estimating population characteristics of
inmates to calculate mortality rates by
demographic subgroups
To estimate ADP distributions of inmate demographic
characteristics, data from several data collections were
used to generate distributions of sex, race or ethnicity,
2See Siegel, J. S., & Swanson, D. A. (Eds.). (2004). Te methods and

materials of demography (2nd ed., p. 269). Elsevier Academic Press.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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and age. Tese collections were chosen because they
were conducted closest in time to the 2019 reference
year. Tese distributions were then applied to the
ADP. Tese data collections include two types of data:
(1) in-person survey data, where jail inmates are asked
directly to identify their date of birth, sex at birth,
race, and Hispanic origin, and (2) administrative
data, which is derived from the ofcial operational
records maintained by the jail facility and may difer
from how an inmate would self-identify, especially in
terms of race and ethnicity, if given the chance. BJS’s
administrative data collections on jails include—
ƒƒ
the MCI, conducted annually
ƒƒ
the Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ), conducted annually
ƒƒ
the COJ, conducted every 5 to 6 years, including in
2013 and 2019.
BJS’s in-person inmate survey data on jails include—
ƒƒ
Survey of Inmates in Local Jails (SILJ), last
conducted in 2002
ƒƒ
National Inmate Survey (NIS), conducted in 2006,
2007 to 2009, and 2012.
Prior to 2010, the ASJ provided estimates of inmates
by sex for each year of MCI collection. Te ASJ
percentages were applied to each year’s ADP from the
MCI to estimate the ADP of male and female inmates.
Starting in 2010, sex-specifc data on ADP from MCI
were used to calculate the denominators for mortality
rates for males and females.
Data from the SILJ, NIS, and COJ were used to
estimate the relative distribution of adults by race or
ethnicity for diferent periods. Because the SILJ (2002),
NIS (2007 to 2009), and COJ (2013) are not felded
annually, the population estimates were smoothed
before being applied to MCI data for specifc time
periods. Te SILJ estimates were used to cover the
period from 2000 to 2004, the NIS estimates to cover
years 2005 to 2012, and the COJ estimates to cover
years 2013 to 2019. In all cases, the percentages
associated with the distribution of race or ethnicity
were applied to the jail ADP.
To estimate the distribution of the inmate population
by age, BJS frst obtained an estimate of the number of
inmates age 17 or younger from the ASJ (2000 to 2012
and 2014 to 2016) and the 2013 COJ data collection.

An estimate of the ADP of inmates age 17 or younger
was obtained by applying the annual percentage of
inmates age 17 or younger from the ASJ and COJ to the
annual ADP collected in the MCI.
To estimate the distribution of adult inmates by age,
data from the SILJ for 2000 to 2006 and the NIS
for 2007 to 2016 were used to estimate the relative
distribution of adults by age for specifc periods.
Estimates were directly available from these sources
for 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2012. Te age distribution
for 2002 (SILJ) was applied to MCI data for 2000 and
2001, and the distribution from 2012 (NIS) was used
for 2013 to 2019. Estimates were smoothed to account
for gaps in reference years when age estimates were not
available (2003 to 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2011).
Comparison of jail mortality rates to the U.S.
resident population
Te jail population difers substantially from the U.S.
resident population in terms of age, race or ethnicity,
and sex distributions. Tese diferences preclude direct
comparison of mortality rates between jail inmates and
U.S. residents. To allow for direct comparisons, BJS
adjusted the U.S. resident population’s mortality rates
to the age-by-sex-by-race/ethnicity (ASR) distribution
of jails in 2019.
BJS does not collect individual-level data on all jail
inmates on an annual basis, instead obtaining annual
univariate aggregate counts of the jail population by
sex and by race or ethnicity through the ASJ. BJS can
calculate the ASR 3-way cross distributions for the jail
population only for those years in which it conducts
an in-person inmate survey, the most recent of which
was in 2012, the third iteration of the NIS. BJS can use
the ratio of administrative age or race or ethnicity data
to in-person survey data to determine how disparate
administrative records are from a representative
sample of jail inmates. Te sex distribution of
administrative data is assumed to be accurate because
they represent ofcial records of facilities, and typically,
BJS’s in-person survey data are weighted to refect the
sex distribution of the administrative data.
Because the ASR distribution in jails may have changed
between 2012 and 2019, BJS did not simply impose
the ASR distributions observed in the 2012 NIS on the
2019 jail population administrative data. Instead, BJS
used other existing administrative data to make several
educated assumptions and separate comparisons for

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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■

sex, race or ethnicity, and age to estimate a combined
ASR distribution for jail inmates for 2019.
1. As previously stated, the sex distribution of
administrative data is assumed to be accurate
because they represent ofcial records of facilities,
and in-person survey data are weighted to refect the
sex distribution of the administrative data. Using the
ratio of males and females from the 2012 NIS to the
2011 ASJ, BJS adjusted the 2019 ASJ sex distribution.
2. To obtain an updated age distribution for jail
inmates, BJS compared sex-specifc age distributions
of arrestees from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting
program in 2009 and 2012 to calculate the ratios
of these distributions to the 2009 and 2012 NIS
in-person survey results. Tese two distributions
of age ratios were averaged and applied to the ASJ
control totals by sex from 2015 to 2017 to obtain
percent distributions of ages for males and females
in the jail population for those years. An average of
the 2016 to 2018 distributions was then applied to
the adjusted 2019 ASJ sex totals to obtain the fnal
2019 age-by-sex distribution.
3. BJS does not obtain an annual sex-specifc
distribution of race or ethnicity through ASJ or MCI.
BJS made the assumption that the race/ethnicity
distribution of jail inmates in 2019 had not
changed markedly from that reported in the 2011
ASJ. Additionally, BJS assumed the race/ethnicity
distributions of jail inmates in the 2011 ASJ did not
difer between the sexes. Tis allowed BJS to use
the 2012 NIS-3 distributions of sex-specifc race or
ethnicity to adjust the counts of 2019 jail inmates.
a. Because the assumption of both male and female
jail inmates having the same race/ethnicity
distribution could be questioned, BJS repeated this
step under a diferent assumption. Te 2011 ASJ
female race/ethnicity distribution was set equal to
that of females observed in the 2012 NIS survey,
and the distribution for males was calculated
as the diference between the race/ethnicity
distribution for males in the 2011 ASJ and the
new female race/ethnicity distribution. Ultimately,
there were no diferences in the resulting mortality
rates once the adult U.S. resident population was
adjusted to these two methods of calculating the
sex-by-race/ethnicity distribution.

4. BJS applied the sex-by-race/ethnicity distributions
(assumption 3, above) to the sex-by-age distributions
(assumption 2) to create an ASR table. BJS then
raked the sex-specifc counts so that the marginal
totals for sex-specifc race/ethnicity (assumption 3)
and sex-specifc age (assumption 2) matched the
control totals of the bivariate crosstabulations of
the characteristics.
U.S. resident population mortality data were obtained
from the WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for
Epidemiological Research) Underlying Cause of Death
database (https://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html),
created by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Because local jails hold fewer than
800 persons age 17 or younger, BJS limited the
WONDER death data to residents who had a known
age at death and were age 18 or older in 2019. In
addition, BJS excluded causes of death that are unlikely
to occur in a jail setting, including motor vehicle
accidents; homicides due to explosives or frearms
not related to law enforcement, motor vehicle assault,
or neglect; and frearm discharges not related to
law enforcement.
For each cause of death, BJS parsed the WONDER
death data to match ASR categories from the MCI
and calculated crude mortality rates for the adult
U.S. resident population for each ASR category. Next,
the total jail inmate population was divided into the
same ASR categories using the process described
above. Te crude mortality rates for the adult U.S.
resident population were then multiplied by the total
local jail population by weighted ASR category. Tis
approach allowed BJS to generate a cause-specifc
expected count of deaths that, when summed, gave
the total number of expected deaths in the U.S.
resident population due to that cause for 2019, if
the demographic distribution of the U.S. population
resembled that of the local jail population. To obtain
the adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 shown in
table 4 and fgure 3, BJS divided these cause-specifc
mortality rates by the total local jail population and
multiplied by 100,000.
Rolling averages
Rolling averages were computed to examine trends for
certain causes of death in local jails while smoothing
short-term fuctuations. Data were divided into
10 overlapping 3-year periods spanning 12 years. Te
rolling averages in this report describe some changes
in cause-specifc mortality rates over time, such as

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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■

whether the overall rise in the mortality rate for cancer
was steady or the increase in unnatural deaths was
recent. Rolling averages were not computed for all
causes of death in custody due to the small number
of deaths.
Interpreting rates among small populations
MCI data on deaths in local jails are not subject
to sampling error because the data represent a full
enumeration of deaths. However, according to
Brillinger and NCHS, mortality data from a complete
enumeration may be subject to random error because
“the number of deaths that actually occurred may
be considered as one of a large series of possible
results that could have arisen under the same set of
circumstances.”3,4 Te random variation can be large
3See Brillinger, D. R. (1986). Te natural variability of vital rates

and associated statistics. Biometrics, 42(4), 693–734.

4See Xu, J., Kochanek, K. D., Murphy, S. L., & Tejada-Vera, B.

(2010). Deaths: Final data for 2007 (National Vital Statistics
Reports, Vol. 58, No. 19). National Center for Health Statistics.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr58/nvsr58_19.pdf

when the number of deaths is small. Terefore, caution
is warranted when interpreting statistics that are based
on small numbers of deaths.
Continuing to use the NCHS and Brillinger methods,
BJS quantifed random variation by assuming that
the appropriate underlying probability distribution
for the number of deaths was a Poisson distribution.
Tis provided a simple and reasonable approach for
estimating variances in mortality statistics when the
probability of dying is low. Variances were calculated
based on the assumption of a Poisson process. From
these variances, estimates of relative random error
were calculated. Tese estimates are comparable to the
relative standard error because the relative random
error is the ratio of random error derived from the
Poisson variance to the number of deaths. Following
NCHS practice, when the relative random error
exceeded 30%, estimated mortality rates were fagged
with an “!” symbol to show the instability of the rate.
(Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or
fewer cases.)

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

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appENdIx TabLE 1
Estimated number of local jail inmates in custody on an average day, by inmate characteristics, 2000–2019
Total,
Characteristic
2000–2019
Total
14,376,500
Sex
Male
12,475,500
Female
1,901,000
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
5,178,400
Blacka
5,016,500
Hispanic
2,896,000
American Indian/
Alaska Nativea
211,200
Asiana,b
143,600
Othera,c
930,700
Age
17 or younger
114,800
18–24
3,838,800
25–34
4,771,400
35–44
3,276,700
45–54
1,877,900
55 or older
496,800
Legal status
5,465,500
Convictedd
Unconvictede
8,910,400
Jail sizef
49 or fewer
inmates
439,000
50–99
751,100
100–249
1,864,900
250–499
2,055,400
500–999
2,453,300
1,000 or more
6,812,800

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
597,900 638,200 667,700 687,600 715,200 741,600 771,500 781,700 778,700 747,900 732,000 720,900 745,200 712,700 729,400 712,100 717,700 729,100 730,900 718,500
529,700 564,200 590,300 605,900 627,200 647,400 672,000 680,800 679,800 656,700 640,200 629,900 645,800 613,800 625,600 609,000 611,000 618,500 619,400 608,400
68,200 74,000 77,500 81,700 88,000 94,200 99,500 100,800 98,900 91,200 91,800 91,000 99,400 98,900 103,800 103,100 106,700 110,600 111,500 110,100
215,200 229,700 240,300 247,000 256,500 265,600 275,800 279,000 276,500 264,200 255,500 248,600 253,900 247,900 263,000 263,500 262,700 278,300 277,000 278,200
239,800 256,000 267,800 271,200 277,400 282,700 289,000 287,700 284,400 271,100 258,300 247,400 248,500 210,800 229,400 223,100 219,100 219,400 212,400 221,000
110,600 118,100 123,500 127,100 132,100 136,900 142,300 144,000 151,900 154,000 154,600 156,100 165,300 158,500 155,300 146,700 156,500 153,500 154,700 154,300
7,800 8,300 8,700 8,900 9,300 9,600 10,000 10,200 10,200 9,900 10,600 11,200 12,500 11,300 13,400 11,400 11,200 11,200 12,300 13,200
6,600 7,000 7,300 7,500 7,800 8,000 8,300 8,400 7,700 6,800 6,800 6,700 7,100 7,000 7,200 7,000 6,900 6,500 6,500 6,500
17,900 19,100 20,000 25,700 32,100 38,800 46,000 52,500 47,900 41,800 46,300 50,900 58,000 77,200 61,000 60,400 61,300 60,300 68,100 45,400
7,300
169,300
191,700
156,200
60,200
13,200

7,700
180,700
204,700
166,800
64,300
14,100

7,300
189,300
214,400
174,700
67,300
14,800

6,800
192,900
220,100
176,900
74,400
16,600

7,200
198,400
227,900
180,600
82,500
18,600

6,700
203,500
235,500
183,900
91,100
20,800

6,100
209,500
244,300
187,900
100,500
23,100

6,800
209,600
246,200
186,600
107,400
25,000

7,600
210,500
249,300
178,800
105,900
26,700

7,000
204,000
243,500
165,200
100,900
27,400

7,400
195,300
242,900
158,300
100,300
27,900

5,800
188,600
244,300
153,000
100,500
28,700

5,400
190,900
257,500
155,000
105,600
30,800

4,500
182,700
246,500
148,400
101,100
29,500

4,100
187,100
252,500
152,000
103,500
30,200

3,500
182,800
246,600
148,500
101,100
29,500

3,800
184,200
248,500
149,600
101,900
29,700

3,500
187,200
252,600
152,000
103,600
30,200

3,400
187,700
253,300
152,400
103,900
30,300

2,800
184,600
249,100
150,000
102,200
29,800

263,100 264,900 267,100 270,900 283,900 281,800 292,400 297,000 288,900 282,700 284,800 284,000 293,600 271,500 271,400 267,300 250,500 257,500 246,000 246,200
334,800 373,400 400,000 416,700 431,300 459,800 479,100 484,600 489,800 465,200 447,300 436,900 451,600 441,200 457,900 444,800 467,200 471,500 485,000 472,300
27,500
38,800
75,900
75,500
97,600
282,600

26,700
38,800
82,800
86,100
99,800
303,900

24,800
40,700
85,600
89,800
101,800
324,900

24,200
40,800
87,900
95,400
104,900
334,300

23,700
41,700
90,600
97,000
107,900
354,300

22,800
39,000
93,200
97,600
121,200
367,600

22,700
39,100
93,500
96,800
127,300
392,000

21,900
37,300
91,000
107,700
120,900
402,900

21,200
38,600
90,800
104,800
125,900
397,500

20,800
37,600
91,400
102,800
121,100
374,300

21,000
36,100
94,900
98,900
128,900
352,200

21,100
35,300
94,400
101,400
127,100
341,500

21,400
36,100
93,600
112,000
129,400
352,700

20,100
35,500
92,300
102,500
128,400
334,000

20,200
37,000
96,800
110,800
129,000
335,500

20,700
36,700
99,400
108,200
127,300
319,900

20,100
36,000
104,800
110,000
134,600
312,200

19,800
36,300
103,200
116,000
136,000
317,800

19,100
35,500
102,000
123,600
138,700
312,100

19,000
34,200
100,600
118,500
145,700
300,500

Note: Data are rounded to the nearest 100. Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. Subpopulation estimates, such as sex, race or ethnicity,
and age, were based on the reported proportion of the subpopulation in comparison to the total average daily population (ADP). Subpopulations for legal status were estimated using data from the Annual Survey
of Jails. Subpopulations for sex and jail size were based on total counts reported to the Mortality in Correctional Institutions. See Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
fJail size is based on the ADP.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2018; Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019; National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012; and Survey of
Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

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appENdIx TabLE 2
Illness mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic group, by decedent characteristics, 2002–2019 (3-year rolling averages)
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
Asiana,b
Othera,c
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede

2002
79

2003
75

2004
75

2005
72

2006
73

2007
75

2008
71

2009
67

2010
62

2011
63

2012
65

2013
66

2014
69

2015
70

2016
72

2017
73

2018
73

2019
73

80
76

75
75

74
80

71
77

72
80

74
79

70
78

66
72

62
67

63
67

64
70

66
67

69
72

70
70

71
77

73
74

72
75

74
70

89
88
55
40 !
19 !
4!

86
85
51
35 !
14 !
2!

86
85
50
41
22 !
0

85
82
44
54
30 !
1!

86
86
43
69
37 !
1!

88
91
41
60
53
1!

82
88
41
56
70
1!

82
79
38
43
79
1!

80
72
33
39
66
1!

87
71
30
32 !
44 !
1!

92
76
29
29 !
53
1!

93
78
33
29 !
58
1!

95
82
37
32
70
1!

96
80
42
42
61
1!

101
78
42
56
81
1!

102
79
42
65
83
1!

100
81
41
55
85
1!

99
83
41
38
72
1!

18 !
8
30
95
270
664

9!
8
29
91
250
628

14 !
9
29
89
235
597

5!
9
25
79
219
593

10 !
9
24
80
212
593

5!
9
24
80
205
604

5!
8
24
75
191
550

5!
7
22
66
176
534

9!
8
20
57
165
508

15 !
9
22
56
159
517

11 !
8
23
53
167
518

6!
7
23
56
164
520

0
7
23
60
167
557

0
8
25
62
154
582

0
9
27
58
151
645

0
11
26
60
144
676

0
11
26
59
133
710

10 !
10
28
62
120
744

59
93

57
87

56
86

54
83

50
87

51
89

46
85

47
78

47
71

48
72

50
75

50
76

56
77

55
79

57
81

56
82

58
80

57
81

Note: Based on 3-year rolling averages. Labels show the most recent year only (for example, 2000–2002 is shown as 2002). Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates
for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts.
Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2018; Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019; National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012; and Survey of
Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

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appENdIx TabLE 3
Heart disease mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic group, by decedent characteristics, 2002–2019 (3-year rolling averages)
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
Asiana,b
Othera,c
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede

2002
33

2003
34

2004
33

2005
31

2006
30

2007
30

2008
28

2009
27

2010
28

2011
31

2012
34

2013
35

2014
35

2015
35

2016
37

2017
39

2018
40

2019
40

34
27

34
30

34
28

32
24

31
23

31
22

29
24

27
24

28
27

32
28

34
32

36
31

36
33

36
30

38
31

40
30

41
34

41
33

44
35
14
16 !
10 !
4!

43
37
17
19 !
5!
2!

40
37
19
15 !
4!
0

40
34
17
18 !
4!
1!

40
33
15
31 !
8!
1!

40
33
12
30 !
20 !
1!

34
35
12
33 !
25 !
1!

35
31
13
23 !
26 !
1!

38
31
14
16 !
19 !
1!

46
34
11
16 !
20 !
1!

50
40
11
20 !
19 !
1!

51
44
10
20 !
24 !
1!

49
46
13
13 !
28 !
1!

48
46
15
14 !
38 !
1!

51
44
16
33
52
1!

53
46
17
41
44 !
0

55
49
18
35
25 !
0

53
50
19
14 !
21 !
0

9!
3
10
37
117
338

0
2
11
37
118
339

0
2
12
34
113
308

0
3
11
31
97
297

0
3
10
31
89
278

0
3
8
31
77
280

0
2
8
30
73
255

0
3
7
27
68
247

0
3
7
25
72
253

0
3
9
27
81
273

0
3
10
29
86
293

0
4
10
30
88
296

0
4
10
29
85
307

0
3
11
29
85
306

0
3
12
28
84
344

0
4
12
31
84
368

0
5
12
31
75
415

10 !
5
12
32
68
432

26
38

28
37

27
37

25
35

23
35

22
34

20
33

20
30

22
31

25
35

26
39

27
40

28
40

28
39

30
41

30
43

32
44

31
44

Note: Based on 3-year rolling averages. Labels show the most recent year only (for example, 2000–2002 is shown as 2002). Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates
for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts.
Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2018; Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019; National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012; and Survey of
Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

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appENdIx TabLE 4
Suicide mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic group, by decedent characteristics, 2002–2019 (3-year rolling averages)
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
Asiana,b
Othera,c
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede

2002
48

2003
46

2004
44

2005
41

2006
39

2007
37

2008
34

2009
35

2010
37

2011
42

2012
42

2013
43

2014
46

2015
49

2016
50

2017
47

2018
45

2019
46

50
32

48
34

45
33

43
28

41
22

39
21

36
19

37
24

38
28

43
32

44
28

45
28

48
32

52
36

52
38

49
36

47
36

48
37

97
16
30
52
43 !
2!

94
14
28
54
46 !
2!

86
15
30
52
49
1!

77
16
30
65
52
0

71
17
28
66
54
0

70
16
23
67
49
0

65
14
20
59
57
0

71
14
18
76
52
0

76
13
19
75
38 !
0

87
15
22
63
30 !
1!

88
15
22
44
34 !
1!

88
18
25
46
34 !
2!

92
20
24
62
38 !
1!

99
21
28
55
38 !
1!

100
19
27
53
47 !
0

94
17
27
47
39 !
0

89
17
26
49
55
0

90
18
24
49
72
1!

81
36
45
57
58
74

73
36
44
54
55
66

66
33
42
54
51
52

58
30
41
47
45
61

55
27
37
48
43
56

46 !
25
34
47
45
55

39 !
23
29
44
44
53

28 !
25
30
46
47
54

23 !
23
35
46
50
57

20 !
26
41
52
56
56

27 !
26
40
53
53
64

32 !
27
42
53
50
79

43 !
27
43
58
54
93

41 !
26
47
62
63
104

35 !
25
46
62
70
97

46 !
22
46
59
68
87

38 !
19
43
61
62
101

52 !
18
43
68
55
108

22
66

21
63

18
61

17
56

15
53

15
50

14
45

16
47

18
49

20
55

19
56

19
59

20
61

23
66

25
64

26
59

26
55

26
57

Note: Based on 3-year rolling averages. Labels show the most recent year only (for example, 2000–2002 is shown as 2002). Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates
for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts.
Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2018; Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019; National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012; and Survey of
Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

41

■

appENdIx TabLE 5
Mortality rate from drug or alcohol intoxication, accidents, and homicides per 100,000 local jail inmates within each demographic group, by decedent
characteristics, 2002–2019 (3-year rolling averages)
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/ethnicity
Whitea
Blacka
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Nativea
Asiana,b
Othera,c
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede

2002
16

2003
18

2004
18

2005
18

2006
19

2007
18

2008
15

2009
13

2010
13

2011
15

2012
14

2013
16

2014
17

2015
20

2016
21

2017
24

2018
28

2019
31

15
18

17
25

17
25

18
24

19
20

18
17

15
14

14
11

13
12

15
17

14
17

15
20

16
22

19
27

20
25

23
29

27
32

30
37

26
10
10
16 !
10 !
0

31
10
9
19 !
14 !
0

29
13
10
7!
18 !
0

30
13
13
7!
13 !
0

28
15
15
10 !
8!
1!

26
14
15
10 !
4!
1!

22
13
12
7!
4!
1!

21
10
10
20 !
0
0

21
9
7
20 !
9!
0

25
10
10
25 !
25 !
0

26
9
9
6!
24 !
0

27
11
11
9!
19 !
0

30
13
11
3!
14 !
0

32
16
14
11 !
28 !
0

34
17
14
17 !
38 !
0

37
19
17
27 !
34 !
0

42
23
19
29 !
25 !
0

48
25
21
33
15 !
0

0
8
13
19
34
24

5!
9
15
21
40
26

9!
9
17
21
35
34

14 !
10
17
21
33
39

10 !
11
18
22
29
35

10 !
11
17
20
25
28

5!
9
14
18
20
27

9!
6
12
17
20
35

5!
6
10
17
20
41

5!
6
12
20
24
46

0
7
13
17
21
40

6!
7
14
19
24
43

7!
8
15
20
27
46

16 !
9
17
23
31
58

18 !
9
19
25
30
64

18 !
9
23
28
31
73

9!
9
26
36
35
84

0
8
29
44
41
89

10
19

10
22

9
24

8
25

10
24

10
22

9
19

7
17

8
16

11
17

11
16

12
19

11
21

13
24

15
25

16
28

20
31

24
34

Note: Based on 3-year rolling averages. Labels show the most recent year only (for example, 2000–2002 is shown as 2002). Mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in the custody of local jails. Mortality rates
for 2001–2019 are based on the annual number of deaths and the average daily population (ADP). In 2000, ADP was estimated by taking the average of January 1 and December 31 inmate population counts.
Data may have been revised from previously published statistics. See Methodology.
! Interpret with caution. Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases. See Interpreting rates among small populations in Methodology.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic origin (e.g., “white” refers to non-Hispanic whites and “black” refers to non-Hispanic blacks).
bIncludes Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacifc Islanders.
cIncludes persons of two or more races and other races.
dIncludes persons who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes persons in jail whose status was marked as other or was unspecifed.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2018; Census of Jails, 2019; Mortality in Correctional Institutions, 2000–2019; National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012; and Survey of
Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2019 – Statistical Tables | December 2021

42

■

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
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. Doris J. James is the
acting director.
This report was written by E. Ann Carson. Laura Maruschak and Stephanie
Mueller verified the report.
Eric Hendrixson and Edrienne Su edited the report. Carrie Epps-Carey
produced the report.
December 2021, NCJ 301368

IllIIIIIlllrnlllllll
llllIIIIllIi
NCJ 30 1368
Ofce of Justice Programs
Building Solutions • Supporting Communities • Advancing Justice
www.ojp.gov