Prisons usa. Such Nov 1, 2021 · This report presents data collected from state, federal, and private adult correctional facilities on the characteristics of facilities by type, operator, size, physical security level, capacity, court orders, and programs. This covers the basic fundamentals that apply to all of our institutions. As prison populations surged nationwide in the 1990s and conditions began to deteriorate, lawmakers made it harder for incarcerated people to file and win civil rights lawsuits in federal court and largely eliminated court oversight of prisons and jails. What are the two different types of prisons in the US? Federal prisons State prisons 3. timeline graphs of number of people incarcerated in jails and prisons [1] Incarceration in the United States is one of the primary means of punishment for crime in the United States. As of March 2025, there were 154,155 individuals incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. All information come… Private Prison Population is not directly connected with the number of private prisons in the state, as some states send prisoners to private facilities out of state. We remind all visitors to carefully review our visiting regulations and to observe any applicable state and local travel advisories in planning your visit. Findings are released in the Prisoners series and the Corrections Statistical Analysis Tool (CSAT Jul 12, 2025 · About Us About Our Agency About Our Facilities Historical Information Statistics Inmates Find an Inmate First Step Act Communications Custody & Care Visiting Report a Concern Locations List of our Facilities Map of our Locations Search for a Facility Careers Life at the BOP Explore Opportunities Current Openings Application Process Our Hiring Use this website for informational purposes only. Confinement facilities made up 69% of all adult facilities, and community-based facilities made up the remaining 31% (figure 1). Website visitors should continue to check back periodically to see if any changes have occurred. Aug 25, 2023 · Discover the top 10 most dangerous prisons in the US, notorious for violence and security issues. Feb 21, 2023 · Prisons, explained About 1. 5 million people mark since the turn of the millennium. It will be a medium-security facility located alongside a minimum-security Federal Prison Camp in Letcher County and will replace an old building that is no longer cost-effective to operate. May 26, 2009 · Produces annual national- and state-level data on the number of prisoners in state and federal prison facilities. Prisoners sentenced to one or more years — usually for a felony conviction — make up 96. As of 2022, 27 states and the federal government utilized private prisons, collectively housing approximately 90,873 inmates, representing 8% of the total U. Due to the First Step Act, sentences are being reviewed and recalculated to address pending Federal Time Credit changes. , in prison, in local jail, on parole, or on probation). military prisons and brigs operated by the US Department of Defense for prisoners and convicts from the United States military. Find the most up-to-date You can search for prisoners and prison records based on when and where someone was incarcerated. Mar 6, 2025 · An in-depth look at the prevalence of private prisons across U. Together, these systems hold nearly 2 million people in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,277 juvenile correctional facilities, 133 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian country jails, as Discover the top 10 largest prisons in the United States by inmate population, including key details on federal, state, and local facilities. The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 3 million people in 1,833 state prisons, 110 federal prisons 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,134 local jails, 218 immigration detention facilities and 80 Indian May 11, 2024 · The toughest prisons in the United States Let’s delve deeper into the intriguing details of ten such prisons: ADX Florence Also known as the Florence Supermax, this facility in Colorado is a symbol of maximum security within the federal prison system. Some of these institutions have become well-known for several reasons: Their famous inmates. Security levels are based on such features as the presence of external patrols, towers, security barriers, or detection devices; the type of housing within the All Regions All States All Facility Types All Security Levels All Prison Types Uncategorized Alderson FPC Aliceville FCI Allenwood FCC Ashland FCI Atlanta FCI Atlanta RRM Atwater USP Baltimore RRM Bastrop FCI Beaumont FCC Beckley FCI Bennettsville FCI Berlin FCI Big Sandy USP Big Spring FCI Brooklyn MDC Bryan FPC Butner FCC Canaan USP Carswell About Us About Our Agency About Our Facilities Historical Information Statistics Inmates Find an Inmate First Step Act Communications Custody & Care Visiting Report a Concern Locations List of our Facilities Map of our Locations Search for a Facility Careers Life at the BOP Explore Opportunities Current Openings Application Process Our Hiring About Us About Our Agency About Our Facilities Historical Information Statistics Inmates Find an Inmate First Step Act Communications Custody & Care Visiting Report a Concern Locations List of our Facilities Map of our Locations Search for a Facility Careers Life at the BOP Explore Opportunities Current Openings Application Process Our Hiring Contact your state department of corrections to learn about visiting a prisoner in a state or local prison, how to send mail to an inmate, and more. Together, these systems hold almost 2 million people in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,323 juvenile correctional facilities, 181 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian country Nov 25, 2022 · Use this resource page to find federal prison and inmate information from the Bureau of Prisons and information on sex offenders in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U. The report also has new Jul 8, 2024 · Visiting Information Visiting Overview How to visit an inmate. Dec 18, 2024 · A new $500 million federal prison will be built by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Roxana, Kentucky. The most infamous and hightest-security supermax in the federal prison system is Florence ADX, home of some of America’s most notorious criminals, past and present. What is a federal prison? A federal prison is a facility operated by the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to house inmates convicted of federal crimes. This is a list of U. The Federal Bureau of Prisons classifies prisons into seven categories: This list does not include military prisons, halfway houses, or prisons, jails, and other facilities operated by state or local governments that contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Feb 21, 2024 · Twenty-seven states and the federal government incarcerated 90,873 people in private prisons in 2022, representing 8% of the total state and federal prison population. At yearend 2022, about 5,407,300 persons were under the supervision of a correctional authority in the United States, including 3,668,800 persons under community supervision and 1,827,600 incarcerated in state or federal prisons or local jails (table 1). Prisons are long-term detention facilities, holding people serving sentences to incarceration longer than a year—and it’s usually much longer because the United States sends people to prison for extraordinarily long periods of time. This resource provides detailed information about correctional facilities across the United States, offering a complete guide to each institution. The data is from the United States Department of Justice and other sources. [1], [2], [3] Click the cover for the PDF handout or learn more below. Federal penitentiaries handle both male and female prisoners. Also, the Jun 25, 2025 · Prison Statistics: In the United States of America, 1,071,000 prisoners will be locked in state prisons by 2024 At yearend 2021, about 5,444,900 persons were under the supervision of a correctional authority in the United States, including 3,745,000 persons under community supervision and 1,775,300 incarcerated in state or federal prisons or local jails (table 1). Visiting Schedule & Procedures Official policy at FCI The National Prison Project is dedicated to ensuring that our nation's prisons, jails, and detention centers comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and human rights principles. Inmate Custody & Care Discover information that applies to all inmates: how they are placed in the prison system, the treatment and care that we provide, the rehabilitative programs and services that we utilize to prevent future crime, and other related topics. See all prisons, penitentiaries, and detention centers under state or federal jurisdiction whose primary security level is Maximum. It practices stringent measures including 24-hour Mapping U. 1% from 2021 and includes anyone under state or federal jurisdiction. More About US Prison Guide Welcome to US Prison Guide, your comprehensive resource for navigating the intricate world of US correctional facilities. In the recent past, prisons are often home to a wide variety of people throughout history, from violent criminals to political dissidents. The various government agencies involved in the criminal legal system collect a lot of data, but Feb 11, 2025 · This article series highlights the structural inequities that drive mass incarceration and systemic oppression in the United States. Feb 1, 2023 · This report summarizes data on populations supervised by probation or parole agencies and those incarcerated in state or federal prisons or in the custody of local jails. Corrections – including prisons, parole, juvenile and other programs – costs billions of dollars a year. What are level 4 prisons in the US? Minimum security Low security Medium security High security (Level 4) Administrative security 2. Our Locations We have many facilities located throughout the nation: 122 institutions, 6 regional offices, a headquarters, 2 staff training centers, and 22 residential reentry management offices. Jun 26, 2024 · Search for prisoners and prison records based on when and where someone was incarcerated. Aggregate data are collected on race and sex of prison inmates, inmates held in private facilities and local jails, system capacity, noncitizens, and persons age 17 or younger. During the 1920s, Assistant Attorney General Mabel Walker Willebrandt was responsible for the FPS and Nov 1, 2022 · Nine states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) increased their total prison populations by over 1,000 persons from yearend 2021 to yearend 2022. May 21, 2024 · The United States is unparalleled historically and ranks among the highest worldwide in its dependence on incarceration. Lists of United States state prisons This is a list of lists of U. Exploring the origins of mass incarceration, the prison industrial complex, and how this system continues to impact present-day inequalities, this series hopes to shed light on the injustices of the prison system in the United States. You don't have to go to jail to experience a jail. territories): Incarceration in the United States U. Such extreme rates of imprisonment are known as mass incarceration. The corrections outcomes subcategory informs the best states for crime and corrections Jul 12, 2025 · About Us About Our Agency About Our Facilities Historical Information Statistics Inmates Find an Inmate First Step Act Communications Custody & Care Visiting Report a Concern Locations List of our Facilities Map of our Locations Search for a Facility Careers Life at the BOP Explore Opportunities Current Openings Application Process Our Hiring . Here's how you know. S. The BOP welcomes visitors to our institutions. Designed to improve the experience for those interested in a FBOP career, jobseekers can explore careers, learn about the mission and vision of the agency, find hiring events, and sign up to receive emails about career opportunities. This article explores the intricate history and evolution of correctional systems in the United States, spanning from the early colonial era to contemporary times. The Sentencing Oct 9, 2024 · Discover the worst prisons in the US in 2024, highlighting America's most notorious correctional facilities as of today. Click on a facility listing to see more detailed statistics and information on that facility, such as whether or not the facility has death row, medical services, institution size, staff numbers, staff to inmate ratio, occupational safety, year and cost of The United States prison system provides reentry and rehabilitation programs for inmates. The prison populations of California, Texas, and the Federal Bureau of Aug 8, 2024 · Private prisons in the United States are correctional facilities operated by private companies under contracts with government entities, such as state or federal governments. Ann Carson, PhD, former BJS Statistician; and Rich Kluckow, DSW, At yearend 2022, correctional authorities in the United States had jurisdiction over 1,230,100 persons in state or federal prisons, an increase of 2% or 25,100 persons from yearend 2021 (1,205,100 persons) (figure 1). Feb 11, 2025 · Women’s Prisons in the U. Oct 28, 2020 · Explore high security prisons, including United States Penitentiaries, and discover the operations of federal and maximum security facilities. At the federal level, there were 158,949 offenders incarcerated There are 5,319 Prisons in United States as of July, 2025. Notably, Alabama is in the process of building a record-breaking $1. Locate the whereabouts of a federal inmate incarcerated from 1982 to the present. ? Check our resource to know the history of private prisons and their famous incidents. A list of all federal prisons in USA. Nine states showed decreases in the number of persons in prison of at least 20% from 2019 to 2020. This list shows federal and state prisons by location, with the name, administrative level, type of facility, address, and whether it is coed. com Welcome to our comprehensive directory of USA prisons. The best perk would be the opportunity for inmates to work outside of the Justice 101 is a discussion series examining the history of the justice system in America, from its founding to today, and the impact it has on society, citizens, and the world. Feb 5, 2024 · The U. This number is up 2. The series aims to highlight A private prison, or for-profit prison, is a place where people are imprisoned by a third party that is contracted by a government agency. Jan 4, 2025 · Private prisons in the United States are facilities operated by private companies under contracts with federal or state governments to house inmates. doesn’t have one criminal legal system; instead, we have thousands of federal, state, local, and tribal systems. Jun 17, 2019 · Prisons, on the other hand, are run by the state or federal government. 23 million at the end of 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. Jan 2, 2023 · Get to know about the worst prisons in the US that are consist of the darkest truth in the world. state prisons (2010) (not including federal prisons or county jails in the United States or prisons in U. Jun 7, 2025 · Top 10 Most Notorious Prisons In The U. (See Prisoners in 2020 – Statistical Tables Behind Bars - World’s Toughest Prisons: Northeast Correctional Center, Missouri, USA | Prison Documentary 2024 Behind Bars - Picaleña Prison, Colombia: • Behind Bars: Picaleña Prison Oct 4, 2011 · A list of the 10 most notorious prisons and jails in the US which include ADX in Colorado, Riker's Island, Folsom, and San Quentin. The purpose of a federal prison is to punish inmates who Read more The federal prison system had already existed for nearly 40 years under the Three Prisons Act (1891), which authorized the first three federal penitentiaries: United States Penitentiary (USP) Leavenworth, USP Atlanta and USP McNeil Island, and had since grown to 11 federal prisons by 1930. The daring escape attempts that some of its inmates plot […] Apr 1, 2024 · Explore the best jails in America to serve time, the prisons that prioritize rehab and well-being, and what makes them the best jail in America. This article has lists of US states and US territories by incarceration and correctional supervision rates. Supermax prison A super-maximum security (supermax) or administrative maximum (ADX) prison is a "control-unit" prison, or a unit within prisons, which represents the most secure level of custody in the prison systems of certain countries. Private prison companies typically enter into contractual agreements with governments that commit prisoners and then pay a per diem or monthly rate, either for each prisoner in the facility, or for each place available, whether occupied or not. Join us live for an upcoming program or watch back recordings of previous discussions, like the history of solitary confinement, restorative justice, prison labor, and more. The incarceration numbers include sentenced and unsentenced inmates from many categories. Of these individuals, 134,766 are serving a sentence for a federal conviction. Of those who were incarcerated, 1,047,000 people were in state prison, 514,000 in local jails, 209,000 in federal prisons, 36,000 in youth correctional facilities, 34,000 in immigration detention camps, 22,000 in involuntary commitment, 8,000 in territorial prisons, 2,000 in Indian Country jails, and 1,000 in United States military prisons. This includes minimum security prisons as well as maximum security locations. Incarcerated people are beaten, stabbed, raped, and killed in facilities run by corrupt Go beyond the bars with Trevor Mcdonald in this powerful episode of Women Behind Bars, as we explore the hidden world of Indiana’s women's prisons. Explore the high-security facilities now. Most United States penitentiaries (USPs) are high-security facilities, which have highly secured perimeters with walls or reinforced fences, multiple and single-occupant cell housing, the highest staff-to-inmate ratio, and close control of inmate movement. 1 Over five million people in total are under supervision by the criminal legal system. " History In 1891, Congress passed the "Three Prisons Act," which established the Federal Prison System (FPS). This move is not isolated, as states like Dec 1, 2022 · The U. 20 hours ago · Fact check: Does ICE have higher detention standards than prisons in US? Gaps in detention standards for immigrants lead to inconsistent practices and poor conditions, watchdog groups say. Oct 23, 2024 · This is not a new state of affairs, with the prison population of the United States hovering around the 1. states, their effectiveness compared to public institutions, and the debates surrounding their use. Dec 20, 2022 · The U. Now that the topic of prisons versus jails is clarified, keep reading to gain an understanding of the different types of prisons in America. In conclusion, the top 10 federal prisons in the United States are ranked based on a variety of factors, including the level of security, inmate population, programs offered, and reputation for housing dangerous criminals. Statistical information and publications about correctional institutions in the United States from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Compare this to the figures of the early 1970s when this At midyear 2019, there were a total of 1,677 adult correctional facilities in the United States. The most restrictive facility in the federal prison system is USP Florence ADMAX, the federal supermax prison, which holds inmates who are It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. Beginning with the roots of punishment in colonial America, the narrative delves into the emergence of the penitentiary system and its subsequent influence on the shaping of correctional philosophy. Dec 31, 2000 · About 1. 1 Of these, 111 were operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), 1,155 were operated by state correctional authorities, and 411 were privately operated (table 1). Oct 15, 2024 · Prisoners in 2022 – Statistical Tables E. There are also counts of inmates for various categories. t erritories, and Indian Country. This article aims to scrutinize the current state of See all prisons, penitentiaries, and detention centers under state or federal jurisdiction whose primary security level is Minimum. 2 million people are currently incarcerated in state and federal prisons. About Us About Our Agency About Our Facilities Historical Information Statistics Inmates Find an Inmate First Step Act Communications Custody & Care Visiting Report a Concern Locations List of our Facilities Map of our Locations Search for a Facility Careers Life at the BOP Explore Opportunities Current Openings Application Process Our Hiring About Us About Our Agency About Our Facilities Historical Information Statistics Inmates Find an Inmate First Step Act Communications Custody & Care Visiting Report a Concern Locations List of our Facilities Map of our Locations Search for a Facility Careers Life at the BOP Explore Opportunities Current Openings Application Process Our Hiring Prison Safety We review Chronological Disciplinary Records (CDR), which includes information such as: Serious assaults involving serious physical injury or threat of serious injury (Prohibited Act 101) Less serious assaults (Prohibited Act 224) We look at the number of assaults that occur per 5,000 inmates - known as the "rate of assaults. doesn’t have one “criminal justice system;” instead, we have thousands of federal, state, local, and tribal systems. United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (abbreviated as USP Florence ADMAX; commonly known as ADX Florence, Florence Supermax, and the Alcatraz of the Rockies) is a United States federal prison in Fremont County, Colorado, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice. State correctional authorities had jurisdiction over 1,039,500 persons sentenced to at least 1 year in prison in 2022, while the BOP had legal authority over 146,100 persons with similar sentences. Harsh treatment of prisoners. 4% of this group, and the remainder includes people who are serving shorter sentences or awaiting sentencing. 08 billion prison. In the shadow of economic challenges and social upheavals, a surprising trend has emerged across various states in the United States: the allocation of substantial funds towards the construction of new prisons. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) manages federal prisons, and community-based facilities that provide work and opportunities to assist offenders. e. As stated on Prisonpolicy. If an individual is The majority of our employees work at one of our 122 prisons (we call them, "institutions") located throughout the Nation. To find an inmate or arrestee, or to find a jail or prison, begin your search here: Mar 14, 2023 · Further complicating matters is the fact that the U. Mar 14, 2024 · Can it really be true that most people in jail are legally innocent? How much of mass incarceration is a result of the war on drugs, or the profit motives of private prisons? Have popular reforms really triggered a crime wave? These essential questions are harder to answer than you might expect. It presents data on the number of persons supervised by adult correctional systems from 2011 to 2021 and on their correctional status (i. Dec 5, 2020 · The United States has the largest imprisonment rate in the world. The BOP is a federal agency that is responsible for the administration of the federal prison system. Mar 11, 2025 · Further complicating matters is the fact that the U. May 14, 2017 · Here are the 10 best prisons in the United States to be Incarcerated: FPC Montgomery: The Federal Prison Camp in Montgomery, Alabama has lots of activities inside the prison available for well-behaved inmates, such as pool tables, music playing rooms and sports fields. They are operated at five different security levels in order to confine offenders in an appropriate manner. Find out how to look up federal, state, or local prison records. Meet Sarah Pender, a convicted double murderer Feb 6, 2025 · More than half of states used private prisons in 2022, but they housed less than 10% of all inmates nationwide. Examining pivotal moments such as Introduction The state of healthcare in the US prison system is a topic that has garnered increasing attention in recent years. Dec 14, 2021 · At yearend 2020, the number of prisoners under state or federal jurisdiction had decreased by 214,300 (down 15%) from 2019 and by 399,700 (down 25%) from 2009, the year the number of prisoners in the United States peaked. In addition to the reentry and rehabilitation programs, prisons often offer inmates recreational and optional faith-based opportunities. Comprehensive guide to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and federal prisons – covering BOP structure, security levels, inmate programs, and more. 2 Of these, nearly two million people, disproportionately Black, are living in prisons and jails instead of their communities. Our mission is to provide accurate, up-to-date information and practical advice about prisons, jails, penitentiaries, and government correctional facilities across the United States. With the United States hosting the highest number of incarcerated individuals worldwide, the health services provided in prisons have a direct and significant impact on a considerable portion of the population. prison population. 1 Today, prisons and jails in America are in crisis. Immigration Detention Freedom for Immigrants’ interactive detention map sheds light on the scope and growth of immigration detention, helping impacted individuals and local communities find resources and understand the impact of detention on their neighborhoods, cities, states, and the country as a whole. prison population was 1,204,300 at yearend 2021, a 1% decrease from 2020 (1,221,200) and a 25% decrease from 2011 (1,599,000). [28] Such programs often include education, vocational training, addiction treatment as well as faith-based programs. Whether you are seeking information about a specific facility Our Locations We have many facilities located throughout the nation: 122 institutions, 6 regional offices, a headquarters, 2 staff training centers, and 22 residential reentry management offices. A complete list of prisons run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Information about each of Oregon's prison facilities, including location information, program and services offered, background, and security level. May 20, 2024 · Frequently Asked Questions About Different Types of Prisons 1. prison population was 1,230,100 at the end of 2022, a 2% increase from 2021, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Download the latest data on Prisons in United States. State prisons house offenders who have committed state crimes, such as assault, arson, robbery or homicide. ADX Florence, constructed in 1994 and opened one year Want to get more information about private prisons in the U. US federal prisons. What is a level 6 prisoner? Level 6 designation might be used to describe inmates or prisons that are beyond the Jan 6, 2024 · The Surge in Prison Construction Investments in the U. Prison populations declined in 32 states from yearend 2020 to yearend 2021, after decreasing in 49 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) during the prior 12 months largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. org, “The American criminal justice system holds almost 2. Find an inmate. Data on the prison custody population is presented for demographic characteristics, sentence length, and custody security level by facility type and operator. The landscape of private prisons in the United States is a complex one, with various factors influencing their distribution and utilization across different states. The first three prisons – United States Penitentiary (USP) Leavenworth, USP Atlanta, and USP McNeil Island – operated with limited oversight by the Department of Justice (DOJ). A list of the ten most notorious prisons and jails in the United States which include the links of ADX in Colorado, Rikers Island, Folsom, and San Quentin Discover a full USA prison list with detailed information on federal, state, and local correctional facilities, inmate searches, and visitation guidelines. As a result, an inmate's release date may not be up-to-date. How Do I Learn more about the First Step Act (FSA): View All FSA Resources See full list on usabynumbers. Built in 1994, it was designed to house the most dangerous and high-profile inmates. zcbxmmnqtgoblzxaolfxtsqrpgxfekisyozthvaegeajaybt