U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Bulletin

December 2007, NCJ 220218

Probation and Parole in the United
States, 2006
Lauren E. Glaze
and Thomas P. Bonczar
BJS Statisticians
The number of adult men and women in the United States
who were being supervised on probation or parole at the
end of 2006 reached 5,035,225, up from 3,757,282 on
December 31, 1995. These data were collected in the
Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) 2006 Annual Probation
Survey and 2006 Annual Parole Survey.
Probationers are criminal offenders who have been sentenced to a period of correctional supervision in the community in lieu of incarceration. Parole is a period of conditional supervised release following a prison term.
In 2006 the combined probation and parole populations
grew by 1.8% or 87,852 persons. The growth in 2006 was
slower than the average annual increase of 2.2% since
1995. Over the past 11 years, the total population under
community supervision increased by over 1 million offenders, based on comparable reporting agencies. It excludes
236,014 probationers under the supervision of agencies
added since 1995. (See Methodology.)
More than 8 in 10 offenders under community
supervision were on probation at yearend 2006
About 84% of the community supervision population was
on probation at yearend 2006. Since 1995 (82%) the proportion of offenders on probation increased as a percentage of the total community supervision population.
During 2006 the probation population grew by 1.7% which
represented an increase of 70,266 probationers. This was
the largest growth since 2002 when the population
increased 2.3% or 92,336 probationers.

Annual probation population and entries to probation,
1995-2006
Number of probationers
4,000,000

Yearend
3,000,000

2,000,000

Annual entries
1,000,000

0
1995

1999

2003

2006

Figure 1

Probation population grew by 923,100 persons since
1995
The probation population increased from 3,077,861 in 1995
to 4,237,023 in 2006 (figure 1). Based on comparable
reporting agencies from 1995 to 2006, the probation population grew by 923,100 persons or 30%.
Between 1995 and 2006 the number entering probation
supervision exceeded the number exiting and the probation
population continued to grow. Entries increased from 1.6
million in 1995 to 2.3 million in 2006. Exits rose from 1.5
million to 2.2 million during this same 11-year period. Both
entries and exits increased an average of 3.4% annually
between 1995 and 2006.

Nearly a quarter of probationers who entered
supervision during 2006 received a probation sentence
combined with incarceration
Seventy percent of the estimated 2.3 million probationers
who entered supervision during 2006 were sentenced to
probation without a term of incarceration. Nearly a quarter
of probationers received a combined probation and incarceration sentence.
Indiana reported detailed data for type of entry in 2006, but
not in 2000. Based on comparable reporting methods in
2000 and 2006, almost 8 in 10 probationers entered supervision without incarceration while 1 in 6 received a sentence to probation combined with incarceration in both
years.

Type of entry
Without incarceration
With incarceration
Other types
Total estimated entries

Percent of adults entering probation
2006
2000
Reported Comparable
79%
16
5
2,153,300

70%
24
6
2,272,300

78%
16
6
2,272,300

Nearly 1 in 5 probationers who exited from supervision
in 2006 were incarcerated
Since 2000 the total estimated number of probationers exiting supervision annually increased from 2,095,200 to
2,201,800 in 2006 (table 1). During this same time, the percentage of probationers who completed their full-term sentence or were discharged early declined, from 60% in 2000
to 57% in 2006.
Eighteen percent of probationers who exited supervision
during 2006 were incarcerated. Nine percent were incarcerated due to a rule violation and 4% were incarcerated
because of new offense.
Percent of adults exiting probation
2000
2006

Type of exit
Completions
Incarceration
With new sentence
With the same sentence
Other/Unknown
Absconder
Discharge to custody,
detainer, or warrant
Other unsatisfactory
Death
Other
Total estimated exits

60%
15
3
8
4
3

57%
18
4
9
5
4

1
11
1
9
2,095,200

1
12
1
6
2,201,800

Over 7.2 million persons on probation or parole or incarcerated in jail or prison at yearend 2006
During 2006 the total Federal, State, and local
adult correctional population — incarcerated
or in the community — grew by 159,500
persons to over 7.2 million. The growth of
2.3% during the year was about the same as
the average annual increase in the
correctional population since 1995 (2.5%).
About 3.2% of the U.S. adult population, or 1
in every 31 adults, were incarcerated or on
probation or parole at yearend 2006.
Since 1995 the jail population was the fastest
growing correctional population, with an
average annual increase of 3.8%, followed by
prison (3.0%), probation (2.4%), and parole
(1.5%). Based on data from comparable
reporting agencies, between 1995 and 2006
the correctional population increased by over
1.6 million offenders or 31%. Probationers
accounted for more than half (57% or 923,100
offenders) of the growth. As a percentage of
the correctional population, offenders under
community supervision accounted for 69% of
the total in 2006, while those incarcerated
accounted for 31%. These percentages were
almost unchanged from 1995 (70% and 30%,
respectively).

Number of persons under correctional supervision, 1995, 2000-06

Year
1995
2000
2001
2002
2003
2003 (revised)b
2004
2005
2006

Total estimated
Community supervision
correctional
populationa
Probation
Parole
5,342,900
6,445,100
6,581,700
6,758,800
6,883,200
6,924,500
6,995,100
7,051,900
7,211,400

3,077,861
3,826,209
3,931,731
4,024,067
4,073,987
4,120,012
4,143,792
4,166,757
4,237,023

679,421
723,898
732,333
750,934
774,588
769,925
771,852
780,616
798,202c

Incarceration
Jail
Prison
507,044
621,149
631,240
665,475
691,301
691,301
713,990
747,529
766,010

1,078,542
1,316,333
1,330,007
1,367,547
1,390,279
1,390,279
1,421,345
1,448,344
1,492,973

Percent change,
2005-2006

2.3%

1.7%

2.3%

2.5%

3.1%

Average annual
percent change,
1995-2006d

2.5%

2.4%

1.5%

3.8%

3.0%

Note: Counts of probationers, parolees, and prisoners are for December 31. All jail
counts are for June 30. Jail and prison counts include inmates held in private facilities.
Totals in 2005 and 2006 exclude probationers and parolees held in jail or prison.
Totals in 2000 through 2004 only exclude probationers held in jail or prison.
a

Because some offenders may have multiple statuses, totals were rounded to the
nearest 100.

b

Due to changes in reporting, total probation and parole counts include estimated
counts for Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Washington based on reporting methods comparable to 2004.

c
Illinois did not provide data for 2006; therefore, all data for Illinois were estimated.
See Methodology for more details.
d

Percent change is based on comparable reporting agencies, excluding 236,014
probationers from agencies added since 1995. See Methodology.

2 Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

Table 1. Adults on probation, 2006
Region
and jurisdiction
U.S. total
Federal
State

Probation
population,
1/1/2006

2006
Entries
Reported
Imputeda

Exits
Reported
Imputeda

Probation
population
12/31/2006

Percent
change,
2006

Number on probation
per 100,000 adult
residents, 12/31/06

4,166,757
25,473
4,141,284

1,846,224
12,462
1,833,762

2,272,300
12,462
2,259,800

1,780,590
13,415
1,767,175

2,201,800
13,415
2,188,400

4,237,023
24,491
4,212,532

1.7%
-3.9%
1.7

1,868
11
1,857

Northeast
Connecticutb
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvaniac
Rhode Islandb
Vermontb

699,933
52,835
8,052
167,960
4,615
139,091
125,314
167,520
25,613
8,933

195,542
29,959
3,457
86,944
3,845
24,896
33,767
2,391
5,794
4,489

260,500
29,959
3,457
86,944
3,845
24,896
33,767
67,400
5,794
4,489

201,456
28,283
3,590
85,382
3,870
31,351
35,663
2,136
5,390
5,791

262,000
28,283
3,590
85,382
3,870
31,351
35,663
62,700
5,390
5,791

698,428
54,511
7,919
169,522
4,590
132,636
123,418
172,184
26,017
7,631

-0.2%
3.2
-1.7
0.9
-0.5
-4.6
-1.5
2.8
1.6
-14.6

1,657
2,027
760
3,396
450
1,995
834
1,784
3,142
1,554

Midwest
Illinoisb,c
Indianab
Iowa
Kansas
Michiganc
Minnesota
Missourib
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohiob,c
South Dakota
Wisconsin

975,228
143,136
117,960
23,404
15,010
180,290
118,878
53,614
18,468
4,085
240,706
5,308
54,369

483,825
**
96,356
14,716
19,835
78,534
88,735
24,116
15,338
2,947
113,645
3,440
26,163

636,600
60,600
96,356
14,716
19,835
137,300
88,735
24,116
15,338
2,947
147,000
3,440
26,163

463,939
**
93,895
15,498
19,327
78,521
80,324
22,767
15,075
2,729
107,990
3,087
24,726

619,700
62,800
93,895
15,498
19,327
135,000
80,324
22,767
15,075
2,729
144,600
3,087
24,726

992,920
141,000
120,421
22,622
15,518
182,650
127,289
54,963
18,731
4,303
243,956
5,661
55,806

1.8%
-1.5
2.1
-3.3
3.4
1.3
7.1
2.5
1.4
5.3
1.4
6.7
2.6

1,981
1,461
2,533
993
748
2,398
3,243
1,237
1,410
875
2,799
959
1,311

1,685,782
48,607
30,735
18,462
7,006
279,613
414,409
37,030
38,366
75,593
23,864
111,626
28,996
39,308
48,631
430,301
45,589
7,646

745,553
23,658
10,349
14,951
5,031
233,833
54,793
16,170
13,687
38,583
8,690
62,752
13,582
14,401
26,761
179,448
27,951
913

928,900
23,658
10,349
14,951
5,031
251,300
213,600
23,200
13,687
38,583
8,690
62,752
13,582
14,401
26,761
179,448
27,951
1,000

728,171
16,499
9,576
16,455
5,154
240,502
44,681
14,038
13,996
38,478
8,447
63,959
15,163
15,356
21,811
177,782
25,396
878

911,200
16,499
9,576
16,455
5,154
257,900
205,200
19,100
13,996
38,478
8,447
63,959
15,163
15,356
21,811
177,782
25,396
1,000

1,702,430
55,766
31,508
16,958
6,883
272,977
422,790
41,162
38,057
75,698
24,107
110,419
27,415
38,353
52,558
431,967
48,144
7,668

1.0%
14.7
2.5
-8.1
-1.8
-2.4
2.0
11.2
-0.8
0.1
1.0
-1.1
-5.5
-2.4
8.1
0.4
5.6
0.3

2,060
1,592
1,478
2,592
1,480
1,925
6,059
1,279
1,186
1,773
1,116
1,632
1,016
1,160
1,136
2,515
820
536

780,341
5,680
71,115
388,260
56,438
16,825
43,712
8,316
12,616
14,982
43,606
10,083
103,882
4,826

408,842
1,350
38,580
203,747
30,328
6,453
39,836
3,985
6,683
5,422
18,185
5,403
45,990
2,880

433,800
1,350
39,200
203,747
33,700
6,453
39,836
4,100
6,683
7,100
18,185
5,403
65,100
2,880

373,609
935
36,580
190,300
24,071
4,680
34,939
3,501
6,091
4,989
16,541
5,060
43,441
2,481

395,400
935
37,100
190,300
27,100
4,680
34,939
3,700
6,091
5,600
16,541
5,060
60,900
2,481

818,754
6,095
73,265
401,707
63,032
18,598
48,609
8,770
13,208
16,493
45,250
10,426
108,076
5,225

4.9%
7.3
3.0
3.5
11.7
10.5
11.2
5.5
4.7
10.1
3.8
3.4
4.0
8.3

1,579
1,239
1,591
1,486
1,743
1,870
4,482
1,201
699
1,131
1,580
586
2,202
1,319

South
Alabamab,d
Arkansas
Delaware
District of Columbia
Floridab,c
Georgiab,c,e
Kentuckyb,c
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolinab
Oklahomab
South Carolina
Tennesseeb
Texas
Virginiab
West Virginiab,c
West
Alaska
Arizonab,c
Californiab
Coloradob,c
Hawaii
Idahob,f
Montanab,c,d
Nevada
New Mexicob,c,d
Oregon
Utah
Washingtonb,c
Wyoming

Note: Because of nonresponse or incomplete data, the probation population for some jurisdictions on December 31, 2006, does not equal the population on January 1, plus entries, minus exits. Rates were computed using the estimated adult resident population in each state on January 1, 2007.
See Methodology.
**Not known.
aDetails may not sum to totals because of rounding.
b
Some or all detailed data were estimated.
cData for entries and exits were estimated for non-reporting agencies. See Methodology.
d
Due to a change in reporting, data are not comparable to previous years.
e
Counts include private agency cases and may overstate the number of persons under supervision.
f
Counts include estimates for misdemeanors based on admissions.

Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

3

5 States accounted for over half of the growth in
the probation population during 2006
Five States had an absolute increase of 4,500 or more
in their probation population during 2006. California
experienced the largest increase (13,400), followed by
Minnesota (8,400), Alabama (7,200), Colorado
(6,600), and Pennsylvania (4,700). These same 5
States accounted for 57% of the growth in the population during the year.
State

Absolute increase Percent of absolute
of 4,500 or more* increase, 2006

U.S. total

70,266

100%

Total
California
Minnesota
Alabama
Colorado
Pennsylvania

40,275
13,447
8,411
7,159
6,594
4,664

57
19
12
10
9
7

*Excludes Georgia which included probation casebased counts for private agencies, and Idado which estimated misdemeanors based on admissions.

Majority of probationers were male and white
At yearend 2006, 76% of probationers were male,
down from 79% in 1995 (table 2). Since 1995 women
have accounted for a larger percentage of the probation population (21% in 1995 compared to 24% in
2006).
The racial composition of the probation population has
remained nearly stable since 1995. In both 1995 (53%)
and 2006 (55%) the majority of probationers were
white. Twenty-nine percent were black in 2006, nearly
unchanged from 31% in 1995. Hispanic probationers
comprised 13% of the population in 2006; 14% in
1995.
More than 7 in 10 probationers were non-violent
offenders
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of probationers under
supervision on December 31, 2006 were supervised
for a non-violent offense, including more than a quarter
for a drug law violation and a sixth for driving while
intoxicated. Sixteen percent of probationers were
convicted of a violent offense, including 3% for sexual
assault, 4% for domestic violence, and 9% for assault
other than domestic violence and sexual assault.
Eleven percent of probationers were supervised for
other unspecified offenses.

4 Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

Parole population grew by 17,586 during 2006
At yearend 2006 a total of 798,202 adult men and women were
on parole or mandatory conditional release following a prison
term (table 3). The population grew by 17,586 parolees during
the year or 2.3%. This was greater than the average annual
increase of 1.5% since 1995.
Table 2. Characteristics of adults on probation, 1995, 2000,
and 2006
Characteristic
Total
Gender
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origin
White*
Black*
Hispanic or Latino
American Indian/Alaska Native*
Asian/Native Hawaiian/other
Pacific Islander*
Two or more races
Status of probation
Direct imposition
Split sentence
Sentence suspended
Imposition suspended
Other
Status of supervision
Active
Residential/other treatment
program
Financial conditions remaining
Inactive
Absconder
Supervised out of State
Warrant status
Other
Type of offense
Felony
Misdemeanor
Other infractions

1995

2000

2006

100%

100%

100%

79%
21

78%
22

76%
24

53%
31
14
1

54%
31
13
1

55%
29
13
1

-...

1
...

1
--

48%
15
26
6
4

56%
11
25
7
1

58%
10
23
9
1

79%

76%

71%

...
...
8
9
2
...
2

...
...
9
9
3
...
3

54%
44
2

52%
46
2

1
2
7
9
3
6
2
49%
49
2

Most serious offense
Sexual assault
...
...
3%
Domestic violence
...
...
4
Other assault
...
...
9
Burglary
...
...
5
Larceny/theft
...
...
13
Motor vehicle theft
...
...
1
Fraud
...
...
5
Drug law violations
...
24
27
Driving while intoxicated
16
18
16
Minor traffic offenses
...
6
6
Other
84
52
11
Note: Each characteristic includes persons of unknown type. Detail may not
sum to total because of rounding.
--Less than 0.5%.
...Not available.
*Excludes persons of Hispanic origin.

Table 3. Adults on parole, 2006
Region
and jurisdiction

Parole
population,
1/1/06

Entries
Reported Imputeda

2006

Exits
Reported Imputeda

Parole
Percent
population, change,
12/31/06
2006

Number on parole
per 100,000 adult
residents, 12/31/06

U.S. totalb
780,616
485,882
536,200
469,768
519,200
798,202
2.3%
352
Federal
86,852
41,922
41,922
39,230
39,230
89,438
3.0%
39
b
State
693,764
443,960
494,300
430,538
480,000
708,764
2.2
313
Northeast
152,033
53,581
68,000
53,793
67,600
152,563
0.3%
362
Connecticut
2,571
2,845
2,845
2,849
2,849
2,567
-0.2
95
Maine
34
1
1
4
4
31
-8.8
3
Massachusettsc
3,579
4,619
4,619
5,120
5,120
3,223
-9.9
65
New Hampshire
1,402
628
628
409
409
1,621
15.6
159
New Jersey
13,874
10,373
10,373
9,842
9,842
14,405
3.8
217
New York
53,533
23,422
23,422
23,954
23,954
53,001
-1.0
358
Pennsylvaniad
75,678
10,853
25,300
10,742
24,600
76,386
0.9
791
Rhode Island
302
379
379
317
317
364
20.5
44
Vermontc,e
1,060
461
461
556
556
965
-9.0
197
Midwestb
131,283
66,166
102,100
66,736
102,300
131,037
-0.2%
261
Illinoisc,f
34,576
**
35,900
**
35,600
**
:
:
Indiana
7,295
7,555
7,555
6,900
6,900
7,950
9.0
167
Iowa
3,560
2,381
2,381
2,363
2,363
3,578
0.5
157
Kansase
4,666
5,785
5,785
5,565
5,565
4,886
4.7
235
Michigan
19,978
10,713
10,713
12,205
12,205
18,486
-7.5
243
Minnesota
4,007
5,427
5,427
5,003
5,003
4,431
10.6
113
c
Missouri
18,374
13,214
13,214
12,525
12,525
19,063
3.7
429
Nebraska
662
1,037
1,037
902
902
797
20.4
60
North Dakota
302
859
859
791
791
370
22.5
75
Ohio
19,512
9,712
9,712
11,621
11,621
17,603
-9.8
202
South Dakota
2,444
2,054
2,054
1,731
1,731
2,767
13.2
469
Wisconsin
15,907
7,429
7,429
7,130
7,130
16,206
1.9
381
South
235,061
108,255
108,255
105,356
105,356
237,821
1.2%
288
Alabamac
7,795
3,599
3,599
2,736
2,736
8,658
11.1
247
c
Arkansas
16,666
8,731
8,731
6,992
6,992
18,405
10.4
863
Delaware
600
367
367
423
423
544
-9.3
83
District of Columbia
4,926
2,256
2,256
1,795
1,795
5,387
9.4
1,158
Floridac
4,785
6,474
6,474
6,469
6,469
4,790
0.1
34
Georgia
22,851
11,580
11,580
11,473
11,473
22,958
0.5
329
c
Kentucky
10,162
7,034
7,034
5,329
5,329
11,867
16.8
369
Louisiana
24,072
13,689
13,689
13,098
13,098
24,663
2.5
769
Maryland
14,271
7,491
7,491
7,411
7,411
14,351
0.6
336
Mississippi
1,970
953
953
1,024
1,024
1,899
-3.6
88
c
North Carolina
3,101
3,608
3,608
3,473
3,473
3,236
4.4
48
c
Oklahoma
4,329
843
843
2,100
2,100
3,072
-29.0
114
South Carolina
3,072
773
773
1,110
1,110
2,735
-11.0
83
Tennesseee
8,630
4,443
4,443
3,232
3,232
9,702
12.4
210
Texas
101,916
33,308
33,308
35,171
35,171
100,053
-1.8
583
Virginia
4,499
1,979
1,979
2,500
2,500
3,978
-11.6
68
West Virginia
1,416
1,127
1,127
1,020
1,020
1,523
7.6
107
West
175,387
215,958
215,958
204,653
204,653
187,343
6.8%
361
Alaska
973
705
705
634
634
1,044
7.3
212
Arizonac
6,213
12,256
12,256
12,006
12,006
6,463
4.0
140
Californiae
111,744
169,625
169,625
163,428
163,428
118,592
6.1
439
Colorado
8,196
7,927
7,927
6,572
6,572
9,551
16.5
264
Hawaii
2,119
798
798
601
601
2,316
9.3
233
Idaho
2,482
1,527
1,527
1,277
1,277
2,732
10.1
252
Montana
703
680
680
539
539
844
20.1
116
Nevada
3,518
2,638
2,638
2,332
2,332
3,824
8.7
202
New Mexicoc,e,g
2,831
1,650
1,650
1,559
1,559
2,922
3.2
200
Oregon
21,189
9,231
9,231
8,024
8,024
22,396
5.7
782
Utah
3,242
2,617
2,617
2,485
2,485
3,374
4.1
190
Washington
11,568
5,923
5,923
4,880
4,880
12,611
9.0
257
Wyoming
609
381
381
316
316
674
10.7
170
Note: Because of nonresponse or incomplete data, the parole population for some jurisdictions on December 31, 2006, does not equal the
population on January 1, plus entries, minus exits. Rates were computed using the estimated adult resident population in each State on
January 1, 2007. See Methodology.
**Not known.
:Not calculated.
a
Details may not sum to totals because of rounding.
bIncludes an estimated 34,900 parolees under supervision in Illinois on December 31, 2006.
c
Some or all data were estimated.
dData for entries and exits were estimated for nonreporting county agencies. See Methodology.
e
Excludes parolees in one of the following categories: absconder, out of State, inactive, or only have financial conditions remaining.
fParole population on January 1, 2006, was estimated from the number reported for December 31, 2005. See Methodology.
gDue to a change in recordkeeping procedures, data were not comparable to previous reports.

Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

5

At yearend 2006, 352 persons per 100,000 adult residents
were under parole supervision. This represented 1 in every
284 adults in the United States. Arkansas had the highest
rate of parole supervision at yearend 2006 (863 per
100,000), surpassing Pennsylvania (791 per 100,000)
which had the highest rate of parole supervision since
1997. Maine had the lowest rate of parole supervision in
2006 (3 per 100,000).
Parole population increased in 36 States
The Federal System, 36 States, and the District of Columbia had more adults on parole at the end of 2006 than at
the beginning of the year. Double-digit increases were
reported in 14 States, led by North Dakota (up 23%) and
Rhode Island (up 21%).

Mandatory releases from prison made up half of all
entries to parole supervision during 2006
Of the 536,200 parolees who entered parole supervision
during 2006, more than half entered through a mandatory
release from prison. Since 2000 (54%) mandatory releases
to parole have decreased slightly.
Thirty-five percent of parolees who entered supervision in
2006 received a discretionary release from prison by a
parole board decision. Discretionary releases to parole
have decreased since 2000 (37%).
Between 2000 and 2006 reinstatements to parole
increased as a percentage of all entries (6% and 9%,
respectively).
Percent of adults entering parole
2000
2006

A total of 13 States had a decrease in their parole population during 2006. Double-digit decreases were found in
Oklahoma (down 29%), Virginia (down 12%), and South
Carolina (down 11%).

Type of entry

Parole entries outpaced exits during 2006

*Includes offenders on State parole and Federal post-custody
release.

The State parole population reached 708,764 at yearend
2006, an increase of 15,000 parolees (or 2.2%). This was
greater than the 10,200 average annual increase (1.5%)
that occurred between 2000 and 2006.
During 2006 entries to State parole supervision (3.0%) outpaced exits (2.4%). However, between 2000 and 2006
entries (1.9%) and exits from State parole (1.8%) grew at
about the same pace each year on average.
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006

State entries
441,600
445,600
436,300
459,100
469,500
479,800
494,300

State exits
432,200
439,100
420,000
440,500
467,100
468,900
480,000

Percent change, 2006

3.0%

2.4%

Average annual percent
change, 2000-06

1.9%

1.8%

Discretionary parole
Mandatory parole
Reinstatement
Other
Total estimated entries*

37%
54
6
2
470,400

35%
52
9
3
536,200

Table 4. Characteristics of adults on parole, 1995, 2000,
and 2006
Characteristic

1995

2000

2006

100%

100%

100%

90%
10

88%
12

88%
12

34%
45
21
1

38%
40
21
1

41%
39
18
1

-...

-...

Status of supervision
Active
Inactive
Absconder
Supervised out of State
Financial conditions remaining
Other

78%
11
6
4
...
--

83%
4
7
5
...
1

84%
4
7
4
-2

Sentence length
Less than 1 year
1 year or more

6%
94

3%
97

6%
94

Type of offense
Violent
Property
Drug
Public order
Other

...
...
...
...
...

...
...
...
...
...

26%
24
37
6
6

Total
Gender
Male
Female
Race
White*
Black*
Hispanic or Latino
American Indian/Alaska Native*
Asian/Native Hawaiian/other
Pacific Islander*
Two or more races

1
--

Note: Each characteristic included persons of unknown type. Detail
may not sum to total because of rounding.
--Less than 0.5%.
...Not available.
*

6 Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

Excludes persons of Hispanic origin.

Percentage of parolees who completed their full-term
sentence or exited parole early has remained stable
since 2000
Forty-four percent of the estimated 519,200 parolees who
exited supervision during 2006 completed their full-term
parole sentence or were released from supervision early.
Since 2000 this proportion has remained stable (43% in
2000).
In both 2000 and 2006, about 4 in 10 parolees exited
supervision because they were returned to incarceration for
a new offense or a technical violation. In the same two
years, about 1 in 10 parolees exited supervision because
they had absconded. Another 2% who exited in 2000 and
2006 had their parole sentence terminated unsatisfactorily.
Type of exit
Completions
Returned to incarceration
With new sentence
With revocation
Other/Unknown
Absconder
Other unsatisfactory
Transferred
Death
Other
Total estimated exits

Percent of adults exiting parole
2000
2006
43%
42
11
30
1
9
2
1
1
2
459,400

44%
39
11
26
2
11
2
1
1
3
519,200

Since 1995 the percentage of female and white
parolees has increased
At yearend 2006 about 1 out of every 8 adults on parole
was a woman (96,200) (table 4). Women represented a
greater percentage of the parole population in 2006 (12%),
compared to 1995 (10%).
The percentage of parolees who were black dropped to
39% in 2006, continuing a decline from 45% in 1995.
Whites constituted 41% of the parole population in 2006,
up from 34% in 1995. Almost 1 in 5 parolees were Hispanic
(146,200). About 2% of parolees were of other races
(12,500).
Nearly 4 in 10 parolees served a sentence for a drug
offense
About 94% of all parolees at yearend 2006 had been sentenced to 1 year or more in Federal or State prison. The
largest percentage of parolees had been convicted of a
drug offense (37%, down from 40% in 2002). Data on type
of offense were first collected in 2002.

At yearend 2006 about one in four parolees had been convicted of a violent offense or a property offense. In 2006,
6% of parolees had been convicted of a public order
offense and 6% of another type of offense which was not
classified.
Type of offense
Violent
Property
Drug
Public order
Other*

Percent of parolees
2002
2006
24%
26
40
...
10

26%
24
37
6
6

Note: 2002 was the first year data for type of offense were
collected. Detail may not sum to total because of rounding.
...Not available.
*In 2002 public order offenses were reported among other
offenses.

1 in 6 persons under parole supervision during 2006
were returned to incarceration
Of the 1,151,203 adult parolees at-risk of re-incarceration
during 2006 in the 46 jurisdictions that provided information, 16% (179,259) were re-incarcerated (table 5). Offenders at risk of re-incarceration were defined as adults on
parole on January 1, 2006, and those released to parole
supervision during the year. In the 46 jurisdictions that provided information, a total of 665,321 parolees were under
supervision on January 1, 2006, and 485,882 were
released to parole supervision during the year. An unknown
number of the 165,642 parolees at-risk in 7 other jurisdictions during 2006 were re-incarcerated.
More than 2 in 5 parolees known to have been returned to
incarceration during 2006 were in California (78,721). New
York (11,548) and Texas (10,661) each returned more than
10,000 parolees to incarceration. California, New York, and
Texas together accounted for more than half of all adult
parolees re-incarcerated during 2006 (56%).
6 States returned 20% or more of their at-risk
population to incarceration
Utah and California each returned to prison or jail more
than a quarter (28%) of their offenders who were under
parole supervision at some time during 2006. The offenders were returned either as a result of a technical violation
of their conditions of supervision or as a result of a new
offense. Colorado and Missouri each returned 24% of their
at-risk population during 2006; Kentucky and Minnesota
each returned 21%. Of the States that provided information, four reported having returned less than 5% of their atrisk population to incarceration during 2006, including
North Carolina and Maine (each 3%), Idaho (less than
0.5%), and Virginia (0%).

Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

7

Rates of return to incarceration have
remained stable since 1998
From 1998 to 2006, the percentage of
offenders under parole supervision who
were known to have been returned to
incarceration remained relatively stable
(figure 2). Data on type of exit from
parole collected prior to 1998 are not
consistent with 2006.
The percentage of the at-risk population
returned to incarceration as the result of
a revocation also remained stable (11%
in each year). In 2006 approximately 5%
of the at-risk population had been
returned to incarceration for a new
offense, unchanged from 1998.
Percentage of at-risk State and Federal
parole population returned to
incarceration, 1998-2006
Percent returned to incarceration
20%

Total
15%

With revocation
10%
5%
0%
1998

Figure 2

With new sentence

2000

2002

2004

2006

Table 5. Parolees returned to incarceration, 2006
Region
and jurisdiction
U.S. total
Federal
State

Total population at-risk
of re-incarcerationa,b

Returned to incarcerationc
Number
Percent

1,151,203
128,774
1,022,429

179,259
8,521
170,738

16%
7%
17

Northeast
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont

149,512
35
8,198
2,030
24,247
76,955
35,845
681
1,521

21,737
1
873
344
3,321
11,548
5,381
110
159

15%
3
11
17
14
15
15
16
10

Midwest
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin

162,873
14,850
5,941
10,451
30,691
9,434
31,588
1,699
1,161
29,224
4,498
23,336

25,994
2,120
727
1,459
5,188
1,952
7,447
255
165
2,185
793
3,703

16%
14
12
14
17
21
24
15
14
7
18
16

South
Alabama
Arkansas
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia

342,349
11,394
25,397
7,182
11,259
34,431
17,196
37,761
21,762
2,923
6,709
5,172
3,845
13,073
135,224
6,478
2,543

32,010
888
2,992
873
1,740
4,358
3,638
2,238
1,566
174
210
428
271
1,547
10,661
0
426

9%
8
12
12
15
13
21
6
7
6
3
8
7
12
8
0
17

West
Arizona
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
Oregon
Utah
Wyoming

367,695
18,469
281,369
16,123
2,917
4,009
1,383
6,156
30,420
5,859
990

90,997
2,804
78,721
3,921
191
6
207
535
2,871
1,649
92

25%
15
28
24
7
-15
9
9
28
9

--Less than 0.5%.
a

Includes 665,321 adults on parole on January 1 and 485,882 who entered parole between
January 1 and December 31, 2006; see table 3.

b

Excludes an estimated 165,642 at risk of re-incarceration for which the total returned during
2006 was not reported, including Connecticut (5,416), Pennsylvania counties (estimated at
65,133), Illinois (estimated at 70,476), Delaware (967), Alaska (1,678), New Mexico (4,481), and
Washington (17,491). See Methodology.

cExcludes

persons who may have been returned to incarceration but were reported as unsatisfactory (8,400), absconder (51,500), other (71,796), or unknown (5,046); see appendix table 1.
May also exclude some persons reported as having completed parole for whom outstanding
warrants were executed immediately upon exit from parole.

8 Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

Methodology

Imputing entries and exits for non-reporting agencies

Beginning in 1980 the Annual Probation Survey and
Annual Parole Survey collected data on the total number of
persons supervised in the community on January 1 and
December 31 of each year and on counts of the number
persons entering and exiting supervision during the year.
These surveys cover the Federal System, all 50 States,
and the District of Columbia. BJS depends entirely upon
the voluntary participation of the State central reporters and
the separate State, county, and court agencies for the
annual probation and parole data.

Entries were imputed for non-reporting agencies using one
of four methods, depending on data availability. The first
method estimated entries to probation by applying the ratio
of entries to the January 1 population in a recent year to the
January 1, 2006, population for the same agency. Exits
were estimated by adding the estimated entries to the January 1, 2006, population and subtracting the December 31,
2006, population. This method was used to estimate probation entries and exits for non-reporting agencies in Arizona,
Colorado, Florida (four agencies), Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan (the State agency), Montana, New Mexico,
and Pennsylvania counties. This method was also used to
estimate parole entries and exits for Pennsylvania counties.

In 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau served as the Bureau of
Justice Statistics’ (BJS) collection agent, except for the
Federal system. Data for the Federal system were provided
directly to BJS through the BJS Federal Justice Statistics
Program which obtained data from the Office of Probation
and Pretrial Services, Administrative Office of the United
States Courts.
Because many States update their population counts, the
January 1, 2006, numbers may differ from those previously
published for December 31, 2005.
Probation
The 2006 Annual Probation Survey was sent to 463
respondents — the Federal System, 33 central State
reporters, the District of Columbia, and 428 separate State,
county, or court agencies. States with multiple reporters
were Alabama (3), Arizona (2), Colorado (8), Florida (41),
Georgia (5), Idaho (2), Kentucky (3), Michigan (128), Missouri (2), Montana (4), New Mexico (2), Ohio (185), Oklahoma (3), Pennsylvania (2), Tennessee (3), Washington
(33), and West Virginia (2).
Since 1995 the survey coverage has been expanded to
include 175 additional local agencies in Ohio (131), Florida
(27), Washington (11), Montana (3), Kentucky (2), and
Idaho (1). The majority of agencies (161) were added in
1999. At yearend 2006, 236,014 probationers were under
the supervision of the 175 local agencies added since
1995.
Parole
The 2006 Annual Parole Survey was sent to 54 respondents, including 52 central reporters, the California Youth
Authority, and 1 municipal agency. States with multiple
reporters were Alabama (2) and California (2). One State,
Illinois, did not provide data. See Imputing entries and exits
for non-reporting agencies for more details.
Federal parole as defined here includes supervised
release, parole, military parole, special parole, and mandatory release.

A second method was used for Illinois which did not report
on its parole population for 2006. Both the ratio of entries to
the January 1 population and the ratio of exits to the January 1 population were estimated for 2006 from parole data
provided by Illinois for 2005. These ratios were applied to
number on parole in Illinois on January 1, 2006, (estimated
from the count on December 31, 2005). The December 31,
2006, parole population was estimated by adding the estimated number of entries and subtracting the estimated
number of exits from the January 1, 2006, parole population.
The third method estimated entries to probation supervision for county and district agencies which did not report
entries and exits but which provided an estimate of their
December 31, 2006, probation population. The ratio of
entries to the January 1, 2006, population among reporting
agencies in the same State was used to estimate the number of entries for non-reporting agencies having similar
numbers of probationers. Exits from probation supervision
were estimated in the same manner as in the first method
(above). This method was used to estimate probation
entries and exits for non-reporting agencies in Florida (four
agencies), Michigan (localities), Ohio, and Washington.
The fourth method was used to estimate entries for one
State-level agency. The number of entries for a West Virginia agency was estimated using the ratio of entries to
January 1, 2006, population among reporting agencies
within the same region. Exits for the non-reporting agency
in West Virginia were estimated in the same manner as in
the first method (above).
Estimating the adult resident population
Estimates of the adult resident population in each State on
January 1, 2007, were generated by applying the July 1,
2006, ratio of persons 18 years or older to the January 1,
2007, resident population estimates within each State. The
January 1, 2007, total resident population estimates were
provided to BJS by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

9

Appendix table 1. Adults leaving parole, by type of exit, 2006

Region
and jurisdiction
U.S. total
Federal
State

Total reported
exits
Completion

Total

Number of adults leaving parole, 2006
Returned to incarceration
With new With
Other
sentence revocation
Other
unsatisfactorya

469,768
39,230
430,538

205,267
26,546
178,721

179,259 51,146
8,521 3,994
170,738 47,152

Northeast
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusettsc
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermontc

53,793
2,849
4
5,120
409
9,842
23,954
10,742
317
556

27,850
**
2
4,225
57
6,374
12,099
4,533
206
354

21,737
**
1
873
344
3,321
11,548
5,381
110
159

Midwest
Illinoisd
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouric
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin

66,736
**
6,900
2,363
5,565
12,205
5,003
12,525
902
791
11,621
1,731
7,130

34,153
**
3,820
1,616
2,155
6,862
2,551
4,049
644
618
7,783
751
3,304

25,994
**
2,120
727
1,459
5,188
1,952
7,447
255
165
2,185
793
3,703

South
Alabamac
Arkansas
Delaware
District of Columbia
Floridac
Georgia
Kentuckyc
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahomac
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia

105,356
2,736
6,992
423
1,795
6,469
11,473
5,329
13,098
7,411
1,024
3,473
2,100
1,110
3,232
35,171
2,500
1,020

West
Alaska
Arizonac
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexicoc
Oregon
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

204,653
634
12,006
163,428
6,572
601
1,277
539
2,332
1,559
8,024
2,485
4,880
316

Otherb

Unknown

119,531
4,527
115,004

8,582
0
8,582

8,400
**
8,400

71,796
4,163
67,633

5,046
0
5,046

4,842
**
0
**
344
486
2,095
1,832
27
58

15,989
**
1
**
0
2,835
9,453
3,549
83
68

906
**
0
873
0
~
~
0
0
33

0
**
0
0
0
~
~
0
0
~

1,357
0
1
22
8
147
307
828
1
43

2,849
2,849
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

7,395
**
**
**
181
2,016
184
2,692
17
26
1,624
118
537

13,473
**
**
727
1,273
3,172
1,768
1,757
235
139
561
675
3,166

5,126
~
2,120
0
5
0
0
2,998
3
0
0
0
0

227
**
30
1
133
0
0
0
~
0
0
30
33

6,362
**
930
19
1,818
155
500
1,029
3
8
1,653
157
90

**
**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

62,601
1,731
3,483
194
396
4,181
7,030
1,573
7,115
4,290
684
2,895
1,190
798
1,584
23,613
1,305
539

32,010 12,396
888
213
2,992 1,199
**
**
873
**
1,740
388
4,358
54
3,638
446
2,238 1,029
1,566
754
174
**
210
77
428
85
271
34
1,547
596
10,661 7,500
0
0
426
21

17,065
415
1,722
**
**
1,352
3,451
2,988
1,095
812
**
133
343
237
951
3161
0
405

2,549
260
71
**
873
0
853
204
114
0
174
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

5,680
0
~
130
171
472
0
0
3,475
1,408
0
24
0
0
0
0
0
0

5,061
117
517
99
351
76
85
118
270
147
166
344
482
41
101
897
1,195
55

4
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

54,117
**
9,192
34,828
2,477
198
475
259
1,604
**
4,189
591
140
164

90,997 22,519
**
**
2,804
166
78,721 19,663
3,921 1,012
191
10
6
6
207
13
535
353
**
**
2,871
865
1,649
420
**
**
92
11

68,477
**
2,638
59,058
2,909
181
~
194
182
**
2,005
1,229
**
81

1
**
0
0
0
0
~
0
0
**
1
0
0
0

2,493
**
0
0
0
0
788
0
0
**
677
127
901
0

54,853
0
10
49879
174
212
8
73
193
0
287
118
3839
60

2,193
634
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,559
0
0
0
0

** Not known.
~ Not applicable.
a
Includes parolees released from parole supervision who failed to meet all conditions of supervision, including some with only financial conditions
remaining whose case may have been turned over to a business office, and other types of unsatisfactory exits; includes early terminations and
expirations of sentence.
b
Includes 51,500 parolees who had absconded (including 45,160 in California), 4,884 who had died, 2,766 who had transferred to another
jurisdiction, and 12,646 others.
c
Some or all detailed data are estimated.
dNo data provided. An estimated 35,600 adults left parole supervision in Illinois during 2006. See Methodology.

10 Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

Appendix table 2. Adults on probation and parole, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2006
Region and jurisdiction
U.S. total
Federal
State

1995

Adults on probation
2000
2005

2006

Adults on parole
2000
2005

2006

679,421
51,461
627,960

723,898
76,069
647,829

780,616
86,852
693,764

798,202
89,438
708,764

3,077,861
35,457
3,042,404

3,826,209
31,669
3,794,540

Northeast
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusettsa
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvaniaa
Rhode Island
Vermont

538,941
54,507
8,641
43,680
4,347
126,759
168,012
106,823
18,850
7,322

573,280
47,636
7,788
45,233
3,629
130,610
186,955
121,176
20,922
9,331

699,933
52,835
8,052
167,960
4,615
139,091
125,314
167,520
25,613
8,933

698,428
54,511
7,919
169,522
4,590
132,636
123,418
172,184
26,017
7,631

175,207
1,233
55
5,256
785
37,867
55,568
73,234
591
618

159,653
1,868
28
3,703
944
11,709
57,858
82,345
331
867

152,033
2,571
34
3,579
1,402
13,874
53,533
75,678
302
1,060

152,563
2,567
31
3,223
1,621
14,405
53,001
76,386
364
965

Midwest
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohiob
South Dakota
Wisconsin

675,380
109,489
95,267
16,579
16,547
141,436
83,778
41,728
13,895
2,320
103,327
3,745
47,269

896,061
139,029
109,251
21,147
15,992
170,276
115,906
53,299
21,483
2,847
189,375
4,214
53,242

975,228
143,136
117,960
23,404
15,010
180,290
118,878
53,614
18,468
4,085
240,706
5,308
54,369

992,920
141,000
120,421
22,622
15,518
182,650
127,289
54,963
18,731
4,303
243,956
5,661
55,806

86,598
29,541
3,200
2,340
6,094
13,862
2,117
13,001
661
114
7,432
688
7,548

103,331
30,196
4,917
2,763
3,829
15,753
3,072
12,563
476
110
18,248
1,481
9,923

131,283
34,576
7,295
3,560
4,666
19,978
4,007
18,374
662
302
19,512
2,444
15,907

131,037
**
7,950
3,578
4,886
18,486
4,431
19,063
797
370
17,603
2,767
16,206

1,248,608
33,410
22,397
16,124
10,414
243,736
142,954
11,499
33,753
71,029
9,595
97,921
27,866
39,821
36,485
421,213
24,264
6,127

1,573,215
40,178
28,409
20,052
10,664
296,139
321,407
19,620
35,854
81,523
15,118
105,949
30,969
44,632
40,682
441,848
33,955
6,216

1,685,782 1,702,430
48,607
55,766
30,735
31,508
18,462
16,958
7,006
6,883
279,613
272,977
414,409
422,790
37,030
41,162
38,366
38,057
75,593
75,698
23,864
24,107
111,626
110,419
28,996
27,415
39,308
38,353
48,631
52,558
430,301
431,967
45,589
48,144
7,646
7,668

240,478
7,793
4,685
1,033
6,340
11,197
19,434
4,257
19,028
15,748
1,510
18,501
2,356
5,545
8,851
103,089
10,188
923

225,955
5,484
8,659
579
5,332
5,982
21,556
4,614
22,860
13,666
1,596
3,352
1,825
4,378
8,093
111,719
5,148
1,112

235,061
7,795
16,666
600
4,926
4,785
22,851
10,162
24,072
14,271
1,970
3,101
4,329
3,072
8,630
101,916
4,499
1,416

237,821
8,658
18,405
544
5,387
4,790
22,958
11,867
24,663
14,351
1,899
3,236
3,072
2,735
9,702
100,053
3,978
1,523

South
Alabama
Arkansas
Delaware
District of Columbia
Floridab
Georgiac
Kentuckyb
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia

4,166,757 4,237,023
25,473
24,491
4,141,284 4,212,532

1995

West
579,475
751,984
780,341
818,754
125,677 158,890
175,387
187,343
Alaska
3,481
4,779
5,680
6,095
459
525
973
1,044
Arizona
40,614
59,810
71,115
73,265
4,109
3,474
6,213
6,463
California
280,545
343,145
388,260
401,707
91,807 117,647
111,744
118,592
Colorado
42,687
50,460
56,438
63,032
3,024
5,500
8,196
9,551
Hawaii
12,957
15,525
16,825
18,598
1,689
2,504
2,119
2,316
Idahob,d
5,308
35,103
43,712
48,609
619
1,409
2,482
2,732
Montanab
4,318
6,108
8,316
8,770
744
621
703
844
Nevada
8,634
12,189
12,616
13,208
2,863
4,056
3,518
3,824
New Mexico
8,524
10,461
14,982
16,493
1,366
1,670
2,831
2,922
Oregon
39,725
46,023
43,606
45,250
15,019
17,579
21,189
22,396
Utah
8,562
9,800
10,083
10,426
2,700
3,231
3,242
3,374
Washingtona,b
120,466
154,466
103,882
108,076
875
160
11,568
12,611
Wyoming
3,654
4,115
4,826
5,225
403
514
609
674
Note: Counts for 1995, 2000, and 2005 are for January 1 and may have been updated from previously published yearend counts.
**Not known.
aDue

to a change in recordkeeping procedures, probation and parole counts for 2005 and 2006 are not comparable to previous years.

bDue

to expanded coverage, probation counts for 2000, 2005, and 2006 are not comparable to 1995.

c

Probation counts for 2000, 2005, and 2006 include private agency cases and may overstate the number under supervision.

dProbation

counts for 2000, 2005, and 2006 include estimates for misdemeanors based on admissions.

Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006

11

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

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The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical
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Sedgwick is the director.
BJS Bulletins present the first release of findings
from permanent data collection programs.
This Bulletin was written by Lauren E. Glaze and
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December 2007, NCJ 220218

12 Probation and Parole in the United States, 2006