Analysis of L.A. County Jail Population Trends
Detailed presentation by Michelle Parris, Program Director at Vera California, showcasing the fluctuating trends in the L.A. County Jail population from January to December 2020, highlighting the impact of COVID-19, racial disparities, bookings, releases, and the influence of LAPD arrests on the jail population.
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Presentation for L.A. County Jail Population Review Council 12.9.2020 Michelle Parris Program Director, Vera California
Data Used LASD daily briefing documents on the jail population, subpopulations, and number of bookings/releases - First & middle of each month (Jan.-Nov. 2020) - Daily, starting Nov. 25, 2020 Note: The LASD documents sometimes break down data for males and females. All references to females throughout this presentation are directly from the documents. Gender information is presented in a binary way (i.e. male and female) and does not denote people who identify as transgender, gender-non-conforming, etc.
The jail population dropped after the onset of COVID-19 but has been rising since May. December 9, 2020 population: 15,456
This year, the jail population decreased by 31% (5,219) in two months. March 2: May 1: Difference: % change: 16,984 11,765 -5,219 -31%
Race/Ethnicity Racial disparities persist.
The impact of bookings & releases
Impact of bookings & releases We need daily bookings and releases data to give an accurate picture of what has happened particularly since the rise of the jail population since May.
Bookings & Releases Jan-Mar 2020 Source: LASD Quarterly Reports
Arrests by LAPD, which represents 30% of bookings into the jail, have remained relatively flat in recent months. Sources: Maintaining a Reduced Jail Population report; 2020 LAPD arrest data
The largest populations in the jail
Most people in the L.A. County jail system are pretrial or partially sentenced. 11
People incarcerated pretrial are the largest population (6,425 people). 12
L.A. County Jail Population December 3, 2020
The pretrial population has always been a substantial percentage of the total jail population, even during COVID-19 reductions.
Pretrial The decrease in the pretrial population that happened at the start of COVID-19 has essentially been eroded by increases since May. 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 5/1/20 12/3/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 31% 28% The numbers: Jan 2: 7,304 May 1: 5,015 Dec 3: 6,425
The number of pretrial people has been increasing since May. At this rate of increase, we will return to the Jan. 1 pretrial population (7,304) in 4.4 months & the peak 2020 number (7,548) in 5.6 months.
Partially Sentenced (sentenced on at least one case)
The partially sentenced population has been rising since May 2020. 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 28% 5/1/20 12/3/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 36%
People who are sentenced constitute ~12% of the jail population. 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 5/1/20 12/3/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 42% 25%
County Sentenced 6% of the total Dec 3, 2020 jail population 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 5/1/20 12/3/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 30% 54% The numbers: Jan 2: 1,449 May 1: 661 Dec 3: 861
AB109 Sentenced 5% of the total Dec 2020 jail population This population has had the greatest rate of decrease throughout the year. 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 5/1/20 12/3/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 41% 44% The numbers: Jan 2: 2,560 May 1: 1,508 Dec 3: 839
Sentenced PRCS Revocation 2% of the total Dec 3, 2020 jail population While this is a relatively small percentage of the jail population, the numbers are increasing. The male rate of increase far surpasses the female rate of increase since May. 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 5/1/20 12/3/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 43% 65% The numbers: Jan 2: 680 May 1: 240 Dec 3: 344
Sentenced Flash Incarceration This group has always been a small percentage of the jail population in 2020. 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 5/1/20 11/2/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 33% 33% The numbers: Jan 2: 3 May 1: 2 Dec 3: 0
Sentenced Parole Revocation 1% of the total Dec 3, 2020 jail population Females composed only 6% of the parole revocation group in January, and only 1 of the 171 people on Dec. 3 was a female. 1/2/20 5/1/20 Pre-COVID -> lowest jail pop 5/1/20 12/3/20 Lowest jail pop -> Present 46% 20% The numbers: Jan 2: 394 May 1: 214 Dec 3: 171
State Prison Sentenced While people awaiting transfer to state prison were a smaller % of the jail population pre-COVID, there were still around 700 on any given day in the jail.
Awaiting Transfer to State Hospital
Awaiting Transfer to State Hospital This group has remained ~2% of the jail population.
The female jail population dropped after the onset of COVID-19 but has been rising since May. If the May-Dec rate of increase continues, the female population will reach Jan 2020 levels in 16 months.
The breakdown of subpopulations for females is very similar to that of males.
The pretrial population is also the largest group for females.
Takeaways A large decrease in the jail population in a short period of time is possible. Mar-May 2020: 31% in just 2 months The conditions that gave rise to that decrease are still present, as COVID-19 continues to be a threat inside and outside of the jails.
Takeaways Racial disparities persist, particularly for Black people, who make up 9% of the L.A. County population, and 29% of the jail population. Policies to decrease the jail population must incorporate an analysis of impact on racial disparities.
Takeaways There are three populations so large that their decreases could have a substantial impact on the jail population: - Pretrial - Partially sentenced - Awaiting transfer to state prison
Thanks! Questions? Michelle Parris mparris@vera.org
