Glossary of Terms

The total prison population in a jurisdiction as a proportion of every 100,000 residents in that jurisdiction. (See also: prison population.)

The magnitude of the Black imprisonment rate relative to the white imprisonment rate. For example, in a jurisdiction where the Black imprisonment rate is 1,000 per 100,000 Black residents and the white imprisonment rate is 200 per 100,000 white residents, the Black/white disparity would be 5:1. (See also: Imprisonment by Race/Ethnicity.)

The magnitude of the Latinx imprisonment rate relative to the white imprisonment rate. For example, in a jurisdiction where the Latinx imprisonment rate is 400 per 100,000 Latinx residents and the white imprisonment rate is 200 per 100,000 white residents, the Latinx/white disparity ratio would be 2:1. (See also: Imprisonment by Race/Ethnicity.)

Millions of voting-age U.S. citizens are barred from voting due to a felony conviction. Three-quarters of the disenfranchised population are living in our communities, having fully completed their sentences or remaining supervised while on probation or parole.

The percentage of voting-age U.S. residents in a jurisdiction who are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. (See also: felony disenfranchisement.)

The percentage of the voting-age African American population that is barred from voting due to a felony conviction.

The percentage of the voting-age Latinx population that is barred from voting due to a felony conviction.

The imprisonment rate for each racial and ethnic group is the prison population in that racial/ethnic group as a proportion of that group’s total population. (See also Black/white disparity, Latinx/white disparity.)

The total jail population in a jurisdiction as a proportion of every 100,000 residents of that jurisdiction. (See also: jail population.)

The number of people in jails at one point in time, who are held pretrial or are convicted of a misdemeanor offense and are sentenced to less than one year.

With some exceptions, people under the age of 18 who are arrested are referred to specialized courts called juvenile (or family) courts.

The number of people held in juvenile justice facilities on a typical day per 100,000 minors in the population (age 10 through the age of majority, which is typically age 17). (See also: juvenile.) The juvenile custody rate excludes youth who are held in prisons and jails. By only counting youth held on a single day, the juvenile custody rate significantly undercounts the scope of youth placement.

People serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for offenses committed prior to their 18th birthday.

Custody rates for demographic groups (such as males and females or youth of different races) are calculated by totaling the number of confined people in that group, dividing by the total population in that group, then multiplying by 100,000.]

Custody rates for demographic groups (such as males and females or youth of different races) are calculated by totaling the number of confined people in that group, dividing by the total population in that group, then multiplying by 100,000.]

Custody rates for demographic groups (such as males and females or youth of different races) are calculated by totaling the number of confined people in that group, dividing by the total population in that group, then multiplying by 100,000.]

Youth who are adjudicated delinquent in juvenile courts (the system’s equivalent of an adult conviction) can be committed to a juvenile facility, such as a state-operated youth facility or private residential treatment facility.

Youth who are detained upon their arrest and prior to their court hearing.

Youth may be held in custody without prosecution under diversion agreements.

Custody rates for demographic groups (such as males and females or youth of different races) are calculated by totaling the number of confined people in that group, dividing by the total population in that group, then multiplying by 100,000.]

With some exceptions, people under the age of 18 who are committed to, detained in, or otherwise held in juvenile facilities.

The number of people serving life with or without the possibility of parole, or a de facto life sentence of 50 years or longer. (See also: juvenile life without parole.)

The number of people released from prison and placed under the supervision of parole officers. These individuals face further imprisonment if found to be in violation of their supervision terms. This group combined with those on probation constitute the population under “community supervision.”

The number of people in prison at one point in time, typically convicted of a felony offense and sentenced to one year or longer.

The number of people imprisoned, typically for one year or longer, in privately-operated, for-profit, prisons.

The number of people living in our communities who are under the supervision of probation officers, convicted of a misdemeanor or felony. These sentences were intended to be in lieu of imprisonment, but often they are in addition to a term of imprisonment. People under probation supervision face incarceration if found to be in violation of their supervision terms. This group combined with those on parole constitute the population under “community supervision.”