The Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ) is the only data collection effort that provides an annual source of data on local jails and jail inmates. Data on the size of the jail population and selected inmate characteristics are obtained every five to six years from the Census of Jails. In each of the years between the complete censuses, a sample survey of jails is conducted to estimate baseline characteristics of the nation's jails and inmates housed in these jails. The 2020 Annual Survey of Jails is the 32nd such survey in a series begun in 1982.

The ASJ supplies data on characteristics of jails such as admissions and releases, growth in the number of jail facilities, changes in their rated capacities and level of occupancy, growth in the population supervised in the community, changes in methods of community supervision, and crowding issues. The ASJ also provides information on changes in the demographics of the jail population, supervision status of persons held, and a count of non-U.S. citizens in custody.

The data presented in this study were collected in the Annual Survey of Jails, 2020. These data are used to track growth in the number of jails and the capacities nationally, changes in the demographics of the jail population and supervision status of persons held, the prevalence of crowding issues, and a count of non-U.S. citizens within the jail population. The data are intended for a variety of users, including Federal and State agencies, local officials in conjunction with jail administrators, researchers, planners, and the public. The reference date for the survey is June 30, 2020.

The 2020 ASJ included a special module to collect data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local jails from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020. Items included: number of jail inmates at the end of each month from January 2020 to May 2020; number of expedited releases from jail due to the pandemic; number of COVID-19 tests conducted on confined inmates; number of positive tests; number of jail staff that tested positive; number of jail inmates and staff that died from COVID-19.

The data on COVID-19 tests and deaths are in the restricted-use version of the 2020 ASJ data file only.

Annual Survey of Jails, 2020

Annual Survey of Jails Data Series

See the NACJD codebook for information about the differences between the public-use and restricted-use versions of the data set.

The Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ) is the only data collection effort that provides an annual source of data on local jails and jail inmates. Data on the size of the jail population and selected inmate characteristics are obtained every five to six years from the Census of Jails. In each of the years between the complete censuses, a sample survey of jails is conducted to estimate baseline characteristics of the nation's jails and inmates housed in these jails. The 2021 Annual Survey of Jails is the 33rd such survey in a series begun in 1982.

The ASJ supplies data on characteristics of jails such as admissions and releases, growth in the number of jail facilities, changes in their rated capacities and level of occupancy, growth in the population supervised in the community, changes in methods of community supervision, and crowding issues. The ASJ also provides information on changes in the demographics of the jail population, supervision status of persons held, and a count of non-U.S. citizens in custody.

The data presented in this study were collected in the Annual Survey of Jails, 2021. These data are used to track growth in the number of jails and the capacities nationally, changes in the demographics of the jail population and supervision status of persons held, the prevalence of crowding issues, and a count of non-U.S. citizens within the jail population. The data are intended for a variety of users, including Federal and State agencies, local officials in conjunction with jail administrators, researchers, planners, and the public. The reference date for the survey is June 30, 2021.

The 2021 ASJ included a special module to collect data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local jails from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. Items included: number of jail inmates at the end of each month from July 2020 to December 2020; number of expedited releases from jail due to the pandemic; number of COVID-19 tests conducted on confined inmates; number of positive tests; number of jail staff that tested positive; number of jail inmates and staff that died from COVID-19.

The data on COVID-19 tests and deaths are in the restricted-use version of the 2021 ASJ data file only.

Annual Survey of Jails, 2021

The Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) is a secure cloud-based computing platform designed to promote collaboration, facilitate documentation, and provide information about data use to the agencies that own the data. The ADRF has provided secure access to over 100 confidential government datasets from 50 different agencies at all levels of government. More information on ADRF is available at https://coleridgeinitiative.org/adrf/.

Remote access to restricted-use data at the authorized licensed location via the the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) by a connected, networked computer.  

Researchers may access restricted-use National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data at Research Data Centers (RDCs) located in Hyattsville, MD, Atlanta, GA, Rockville, MD, and Washington DC (government employees only). The NCHS RDCs are open by appointment only during regular business hours. The NCHS RDC computers are not connected to the Internet, and they have standard statistical software. An RDC Analyst will review all materials brought into the RDC and will review any notes, code, or output the researcher may want to take out of the RDC. Electronic devices (e.g., cell phones and laptops) are not permitted in the RDC. Some NCHS projects are authorized to access NCHS data at Federal Statistical RDCs (FSRDC). Non-US Citizens: In general, non-US citizens are not granted access to NCHS RDCs and are encouraged to use Federal Statistical RDCs to access restricted-use NCHS data.

Access via physical data enclaves in Atlanta, GA; Hyattsville, MD; Rockville, MD; or Washington, DC (government employees only).

NCSES Secure Data Access Facility (SDAF) houses NCSES restricted-use data and provides secure remote access to researchers. After researchers have submitted a restricted-use data application, received approval from NCSES, and have been trained on how to use the SDAF, they can login using an approved computer and a private internet connection. Each researcher has access to their own, personal file space and to a suite of software that can be used to store, access, and analyze data. For more information on accessing NCSES restricted-use data, please visit https://ncses.nsf.gov/about/licensing. 

The NCSES Secure Data Access Facility is a virtual data enclave where approved researchers access NCSES restricted-use data.

USDA offers offsite remote access via a secure internet connection using the researcher’s own computer and web browser to approved datasets for data analysis within the Data Enclave. Each researcher has access to their own personal file space and to a suite of software that can be used to store, access, and analyze data.

Remote access through a virtual data enclave.

Access via a physical data enclave at the Social Security Administration in Washington, DC.

The ICPSR physical data enclave is located in the Perry Building on the campus of the University of Michigan.

Access via the physical data enclave at ICPSR in Ann Arbor, MI.

The ICPSR virtual data enclave allows users access to restricted data via their own computers using a virtual desktop. 

Remote access through ICPSR`s virtual data enclave.

Data can be used by the researcher(s) at their institutions via a method and following requirements set by the agency owning the data. These might include a non-networked computer, a secure office, or other provisions deemed necessary to ensure security.

Data can be used at the user`s institution following the license agreement.

Researchers share four secure workstations at BEA’s headquarters at the Suitland Federal Center in Suitland, MD. Workstation use is by appointment only. Due to pandemic-related restrictions that currently prevent access at the physical data enclave, BEA is temporarily providing access at the user`s domicile. A security clearance is required to access the BEA network. 

Access via a physical enclave at BEA`s headquarters in Suitland, MD.

BLS Onsite access is available in a researcher room at the BLS national office in Washington, DC.  Researchers with approved projects can reserve time during normal business hours to use BLS workstations connected to an internal server where all data and project files are stored.  More information is available at www.bls.gov/rda/onsite-at-bls.htm. 

Access via a designated researcher room at the BLS national office in Washington, DC.

BLS offers offsite limited remote access to restricted data through a Virtual Data Enclave for two survey files:  NLSY Geocode and CFOI-Masked data.  More information is available at www.bls.gov/rda/offsite.htm. 

Remote access to limited restricted-use data through a virtual data enclave. 

Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) are Census Bureau facilities, housed in partner institutions, that meet all physical and information security requirements for access to restricted–use micro data of the agencies whose data are accessed there. Remote access via secure Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) is permitted for researchers working with selected data, at the discretion of the data-owning agency. All FSRDC researchers must obtain the Census Bureau`s Special Sworn Status and successfully complete a thorough background investigation prior to accessing an RDC.

Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) are Census Bureau facilities, housed in partner institutions, that meet all physical and information security requirements for access to restricted–use micro data of the agencies whose data are accessed there.

Remote access to the IRS network via a secure VPN line using a government laptop issued and configured by IRS IT.

Remote access to the IRS network via secure VPN line using government laptop issued and configured by IRS IT.

Access at IRS Headquarters, Submission Processing Center, or other satellite (field) offices.

Title	Last Modified
Annual Survey of Jails, 2020 RDG 6927 Bureau of Justice Statistics	12-20-2023
Annual Survey of Jails, 2021 RDG 7252 Bureau of Justice Statistics	12-20-2023

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