The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics has released a new collection of statistics and publications on the demographics of prison populations.

Publications released this month:

* Prisoners in 2005, 11/06.
* Probation and Parole in the United States, 2005, 11/06.
* Jails in Indian Country, 2004, 11/06.
* Survey of State Procedures Related to Firearm Sales, 2005, 11/06.
* HIV in Prisons, 2004, 11/06.
* Medical Problems of Jails Inmates, 11/06.
* Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2005, 11/06.

Some of the key trends that are updated, with accompanying graphics and data tables:

The number of adults in the correctional population has been increasing. Adult correctional populations.

Over half of the increase in State prison population since 1995 is due to an increase in the prisoners convicted of violent offenses. State prison population by offense type.

After sharp increases in the 1980s and 1990s, the incarceration rate has recently grown at a slower pace. Incarceration rate.