Probation and Parole in the United States, 2016

An estimated 4,537,100 adults were under community supervision as of December 31, 2016 (year-end), a decline of 1.1% from 4,586,900 on January 1, 2016. An estimated one in 55 adults in the United States were under community supervision at year-end 2016. Persons on probation accounted for the majority (81%) of adults under community supervision.

The decline observed in the adult community corrections population in 2016 was the result of a decrease in the probation population. The probation population declined 1.4%, from an estimated 3,725,600 offenders on January 1, 2016, to 3,673,100 at year-end 2016. The parole population continued to grow, increasing by 0.5%, from 870,500 persons at year-end 2015 to 874,800 at year-end 2016.

HIGHLIGHTS

At year-end 2016, an estimated 4,537,100 adults were under community supervision (probation or parole), down 49,800 offenders (down 1.1%) from January 1, 2016.

The total community supervision population in 2016 was at its lowest level since 1999.

Approximately 1 in 55 adults in the United States were under community supervision at year-end 2016.

The adult probation population declined by 1.4% from January 1, 2016, to December 1, 2016, falling by 52,500 (to 3,673,100).

Probation exits increased from 2,043,200 in 2015 to 2,071,400 in 2016.

The adult parole population increased by 0.5% (up 4,300) from year-end 2015 to an estimated 874,800 at year-end 2016.

Exits from parole decreased from an estimated 463,700 in 2015 to 456,000 in 2016.