Prisoners in 2001

The total number of prisoners under the jurisdiction of Federal or State adult correctional authorities was 1,406,031 at yearend 2001. During the year the States added 3,193 prisoners, and the Federal prison system added 11,577 prisoners. Overall, the Nation=s prison population grew 1.1%, which was less than the average annual growth of 3.8% since yearend 1995. During 2001 the prison population rose at the lowest rate since 1972 and had the smallest absolute increase since 1979.