| Youth in Adult Jails and Prisons |
| Q: |
How many youth age 17 or younger are held in adult jails? |
| A: |
On a typical day in 2021, about 2,000 persons youth under age 18 were confined in jails in the U.S. |
Number of youth younger than age 18 confined in local jails, 1993-2021
| Year |
Number |
Percent held
as adults |
| 1993 |
4,300 |
77% |
| 1994 |
6,700 |
76% |
| 1995 |
7,800 |
76% |
| 1996 |
8,100 |
70% |
| 1997 |
9,100 |
77% |
| 1998 |
8,100 |
81% |
| 1999 |
9,500 |
91% |
| 2000 |
7,600 |
80% |
| 2001 |
7,600 |
89% |
| 2002 |
7,200 |
85% |
| 2003 |
6,900 |
80% |
| 2004 |
7,100 |
87% |
| 2005 |
6,800 |
85% |
| 2006 |
6,100 |
79% |
| 2007 |
6,800 |
82% |
| 2008 |
7,700 |
83% |
| 2009 |
7,200 |
81% |
| 2010 |
7,600 |
74% |
| 2011 |
5,900 |
78% |
| 2012 |
5,400 |
85% |
| 2013 |
4,600 |
76% |
| 2014 |
4,200 |
88% |
| 2015 |
3,600 |
89% |
| 2016 |
3,900 |
82% |
| 2017 |
3,600 |
89% |
| 2018 |
3,400 |
79% |
| 2019 |
2,900 |
76% |
| 2020 |
2,300 |
87% |
| 2021 |
2,000 |
85% |
Note: All estimates are based on mid-year, i.e., the last weekday in June.
"Percent held as adults" includes juveniles who were tried or awaiting trial as adults.
[ Graph version ]
[ CSV file ]
- From 1993 to 1999, the number of youth under age 18 held in adult jails more than doubled; this was followed by a 36% decline through 2006. After a period of increase through 2010, the population of youth under 18 in jails fell 74% by 2021.
- Between 1993 and 2021, the proportion of jail inmates younger than 18 who were held as adults ranged between 70% and 91%.
Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08700.asp?qaDate=2021.
Released on January 10, 2023.
Data Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear series for 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, & 2004; Jail Inmates at Midyear 2014, and the Jail Inmates series for 2015-2021. Available from: https://www.bjs.gov/
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