U.S. prison population grew in 2022 for first time in nearly a decade

Federal authorities on Wednesday said the inmate population in state and federal prisons rose last year, marking the first time since 2013 that the U.S. saw more people put behind bars.

The Bureau of Prisons said the 1,230,100 prisoners counted in 2022 represented a 2% increase from the 1,205,100 prisoners counted in 2021.

Part of the population growth came from more women locked up last year. The BOP said 87,800 women were in prison in 2022, a 5% jump from the 83,710 female inmates in 2021.

Texas saw the largest increase in its prison population last year by adding 5,900 inmates. Florida (up 4,300 prisoners) and Mississippi (up 2,500 prisoners) saw the next biggest rises.

The BOP said New York witnessed the first rise in its prison population since 2003 when it added 800 inmates last year, bringing the number of prisoners to 31,100.

California saw the largest drop last year with a decrease of 3,800 inmates. Virginia was close behind with a drop of 3,200, and Oregon was a distant third with a reduction of 700 prisoners.

Authorities said 10,100 prisoners were freed under the First Step Act in 2022. The federal law signed by former President Donald Trump lets inmates earn good time credits and use them toward early release.

Still, the BOP said there were 20,800 more admissions than releases in 2022.

The racial breakdown of the U.S. prison population by the end of 2022 was 32% Black, 31% White, 23% Hispanic, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1% Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 11% multiracial or some other race.