Probation and Parole in the United States, 2003.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), in 2003, the combined federal, state, and local adult correctional population reached a new record of 6,889,800 men and women--about 3.2 percent of the adult population. Of that figure, the number on probation or parole reached a record high of more than 4.8 million.

About 71 percent of probationers were under active supervision, required to regularly report to a probation authority in person or by mail or telephone. Forty-nine percent had been convicted of a felony, 49 percent of a misdemeanor, and 2 percent of other infractions. Twenty-five percent had been convicted of a drug offense, 17 percent for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol, 12 percent for larceny or theft, 9 percent for assault, 7 percent for domestic violence, 6 percent for minor traffic infractions, 5 percent for burglary, 4 percent for fraud, and 3 percent for sexual assault. Of the almost 2.2 million probationers discharged from supervision during 2003, about 3 in 5 had successfully met the conditions of their supervision. Approximately 16 percent were incarcerated because of a rule violation or a new offense, and 4 percent had absconded.

About 83 percent of all parolees were under active supervision, required to regularly contact a parole authority in person or by mail or telephone. During 2003, about 470,500 were discharged from supervision. Forty-seven percent had successfully met the conditions of their supervision, 38 percent were returned to incarceration with a new sentence or because of a rule violation, and about 9 percent had absconded.

Probation and Parole in the United States, 2003 (NCJ-205336) was written by BJS statisticians Lauren E. Glaze and Seri Palla. It is available from the agency's Web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ppus03.htm or by contacting the National Criminal Justice Reference Service at 800-851-3420.