Printer-friendly Washington Report

Washington

IMPRISONMENT IN WASHINGTON

At year-end 2004, Washington prisons housed 16,503 inmates serving sentences of more than one year. Of these inmates, 15,200 were male and 1,303 were female. Washington ranked 36th in its 2004 female imprisonment rate with 42 female prisoners per 100,000 female residents, and 41st in its 2004 overall imprisonment rate with 264 prisoners per 100,000 residents.

In 1977, Washington prisons housed 226 female inmates; by 2004, the female prison population had reached 1,303. Washington's female prison population was at its lowest with 190 female prisoners in 1980 and peaked at 1,303 female inmates in 2004.

GROWTH IN FEMALE IMPRISONMENT RATE

Between 1977 and 2004, Washington's female prison population grew by 477% with an average annual percent change of 7.3% per year.

Washington began the period with a female imprisonment rate that was substantially higher than the average female imprisonment rate across the states. However, as growth continued across most states through the 1980s, in Washington the prison population remained stable. As a result, even after Washington's female imprisonment rate began to climb, Washington remained less punitive than other states in its imprisonment of females. With a female imprisonment rate of 42 female prisoners per 100,000 female residents, Washington was among the 15 least punitive states in 2004 (ranked 36th).

MALE TO FEMALE IMPRISONMENT RATIO

The male to female imprisonment ratio indicates the number of male inmates for every female inmate. Although both female and male imprisonment rates have increased over the period of study, a shrinking ratio suggests that the number of female prisoners has increased at a faster pace. In 1977, across the states, there were an average of 26 male prisoners for every female prisoner; by 2004, this ratio had fallen to 13 male prisoners for every female prisoner. Washington's 1977 ratio was substantially lower than average with 17 male prisoners for every female prisoner. By 2004, Washington's male to female imprisonment ratio (12:1) was only slightly lower than the average across states.

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

According to the 2000 Census of State and Federal Correctional Facilities, Washington has 30 correctional facilities. Of Washington's 30 correctional facilities, 15 house male prisoners only, three house female prisoners only, and 12 house both male and female prisoners.