Who is in prison?

• Some Groups Are Overrepresented in the Prison Population. Males, African‑Americans, Hispanics, American Indians/Alaska Natives and people under 50 years of age are overrepresented in the state prison population relative to their share of the adult population of California. The vast majority of the prison population is male. African‑American and Hispanic males comprise 71.5 percent of the population, but only 20.1 percent of the overall California adult population. Similarly, 70.6 percent of the prison population is under 50 years of age, compared to 56 percent of the broader population.

• These Disproportionalities Also Occur Elsewhere in the Criminal Justice System. The disproportionalities in the prison population are similar to disproportionalities in other parts of the criminal justice system. For example, according to Department of Justice data, of total adult felony arrests in California in 2024, males made up 77.3 percent, African‑Americans made up 15.7 percent, and Hispanics made up 45.2 percent.

• The Demographics of the Prison Population Have Changed Over Time. Since 2013, the number of people in prison has decreased by 32.6 percent. During this time, the share of the prison population that is Hispanic has increased by 13.9 percent, while the share who are white or African‑American has decreased. The prison population has also become older with a decrease in the share of people between 18 and 29 years of age and an increase in the share of people 50 years of age or older. The gender distribution of the prison population has remained relatively stable. For more information on the prison population, see the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Offender Data Points website.

Last Updated: July 2025