California Criminal Justice FAQ: How many prison inmates are there in California?

State Prison Population and Incarceration Rate Slowed In Recent Years

The prison population grew from about 67,000 inmates in 1987 to 171,000 inmates in 2007 (5 percent average annual growth). Similarly, the prison incarceration rate grew from 240 to 450 inmates per 100,000 Californians over the same period (3 percent average annual growth).
Most of this growth occurred between 1987 and 1998. This period was one of declining crime rates but also included the implementation of tougher sentencing laws and a prison construction boom that activated 20 state prisons.
For more information on trends in the prison population, see the Historical Trends report issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.