Vol.15 No.9 - Corrections Digest - Prison Population Reaches New High

Sep 29, 2026

Corrections Digest reports record prison population growth in 1983, citing the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics: state and federal inmates rose by 24,000 to 438,830 by year end, despite a slowdown in the growth rate. It summarizes early-release and court-ordered reductions used to address crowding, reviews capacity levels across states, and details related capital expenditures, bonds, and operating spending. The issue also highlights commentary on death row attorneys and broader corrections challenges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages11

Reading Time28 min

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Corrections Digest

Prison Population: Reaches New High

Marshall Praises Lawyers of Death Row Inmates

Vol.15 No.9 April 25,1984 Latest Statistical Report... NUMBER OF STATE AND FEDERALINMATES REACHES RECORD HIGH The number of state and Federal prisonersgrew by 24,000 during 1983 to reach a record438,830 inmates by year's end,the U.S.JusticeDepartment's Bureau of Justice Statistics(BJS)has announced. “While the rate of growth in prison inmatesdeclined in 1983,the actual number of new in-mates-approximately 24,000-more thanequals the 23,000 average annual gain between1977 and 1982,"commented Steven R.Schle-singer,director of the Bureau. State and Federal corrections officials reportedthat: ● Fifteen states reported that 21,420 prisonersreceived early releases during 1983 becauseof crowding. ● Eighteen states reported almost 8,200 sen-tenced prisoners being held in local jailsbecause of state prison crowding. ● About 10 percent of all inmates werehoused in prisons built before 1875.Theaverage inmate was in a prison almost 40years old. ● State and Federal prison systems wereoperating at about 110 percent of theirestimated capacity of 393,162. Page 1 IN THIS ISSUE PRISON POPULATION:Reaches New High...1DEATH ROW:Justice MarshallPraises Inmates'Attorneys JAIL SUICIDE:Michigan Holds Meeting·...3PRISON FACTORIES:Conference Planned...3TENNESSEE:Some “Explosive”Problems....4LETTER:Criticizing DOJ . .......5CORRECTIONS CRISIS: Are More Prisons The Answer?........5INMATE EDUCATION:Meeting Held.....6IN THE COURTS............7MODULAR HOUSING:Consultant Questions DOJ Evaluation Report.......8JOB LISTINGS.............10ARMED ROBBERY:GunmanHolds Up Inmates In Cell.........10 COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING CONFERENCE A Conference on“Community-Based Program-ming:Approaches for Increasing Autonomy,Em-powerment and Independence,"will be conductedJune 6-8 at Boston College.The Conference is spon-sored by Community Program Innovations,in coop-eration with the Northeastern Family Institute,Bos-ton College,Boston University,Columbia University,the Massachusetts Department of Corrections,theMassachusetts Department of Social Services,andthe Massachusetts Department of Youth Services.Tuition is $140.For more information,please con-tact:Lisa Kaplan,Community Program Innovations,P.O.Box 2066,Danvers,MA01923.Phone:617-774-0815. ## CORRECTIONS DIGEST Only seven states are currently operating atless than 100 percent capacity -only two atless than 90 percent capacity. ● The entire prison system in seven states(andall male penal facilities in one additionalstate)was operating under court order during1983. ● Twenty-four jurisdictions were operating one ormore facilities under a court order or a consentdecree and nine others had litigation pending. In response to the need to house inmates and toreplace out-dated facilities,correctional systems havebcen undertaking substantial capital expenditures,the Bureau said.During fiscal years 1982 and 1983,state correctional systems reported more than $900million in capital outlays and approximately $2.25billion in bonds and other revenue-raising mecha-nisms to support capital construction and improve-ments.Total annual expenditures by state correc-tional systems during fiscal year 1983 were reportedto be approaching $6 billion,and operating expendi-tures increased by 44 percent between fiscal year1980 and fiscal year 1983. Early Release Programs Help The Bureau's bulletin,Prisoners in 1983,said that aboutfour percent of the prisoners were women,and almost 93percent of all the prisoners were state prisoners.The FederalPrison System housed 31,926 inmates. Early release programs and court-ordered populationreductions designed to address prison crowding contributedto declines in a few states:North Carolina's prison popula-tion dropped by seven percent,Michigan's by six percent,Florida's by five percent and Texas'by three percentOnthe other hand,five states-North Dakota,Alaska,NewJersey,Hawaii and Kansas-had growth rates of 20 percentor more last year. Alabama,Louisia

FAQs

What caused prison population growth in 1983 to reach a record high?

The issue reports that state and federal prisoners grew by 24,000 during 1983, reaching 438,830 by year end. It notes that although the growth rate declined, the actual number of new inmates remained around the average annual gain from 1977–1982.

How did early release programs and court orders affect prison crowding?

The bulletin states that early release programs and court-ordered population reductions contributed to declines in some states, while other states saw growth of 20% or more. It also explains that without these mechanisms, certain states would have been substantially more crowded.

What did Justice Thurgood Marshall say about lawyers representing death row inmates?

Justice Thurgood Marshall said lawyers for death row convicts “deserve our gratitude, not our scorn” for working to prevent executions. He argued they reduce the likelihood of executing someone by mistake and help ensure the system’s actions are not forgotten.

Sep 29, 2026

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