RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The population of Virginia’s state prisons experienced the largest decline across the United States between 2021 and 2022, according to new data released by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
According to the DOJ, only seven states saw a population decline in state correctional facilities, with Virginia leading the pack with a 10.5% decrease.
While California’s state prisons were down the highest number of total prisoners with 3,800 over the same time, its percentage decrease was far less at 3.8%. Even then, Virginia state prisons saw the second-highest decline in number of prisoners with 3,200.
The nine states with the highest decreases in prison population, 2021-22
| State | Population Difference 2021-2022 |
| Virginia | -10.5% |
| Oregon | -5.2% |
| California | -3.7% |
| New Mexico | -3.6% |
| Massachusets | -2.4% |
| New Hampshire | -1.9% |
| Iowa | -1.0% |
| Arizona | -0.1% |
According to the DOJ, the majority of states saw an increase in their prison populations, with 9 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons adding over 1,000 persons each — totaling 22,900.
The 10 states with the highest increases in prison population, 2021-22
| State | Population Difference 2021-2022 |
| Mississippi | +14.3% |
| Montana | +8.8% |
| Colorado | +8.2% |
| Tennessee | +7.9% |
| Minnesota | +7.9% |
| North Dakota | +7.6% |
| Rhode Island* | +6.9% |
| Kentucky | +6.4% |
| Connecticut* | +6.2% |
* Includes data from jails and prisons both, as they are one integrated system in this state.
All data presented represents year-end totals for 2021 and 2022, calculated on Dec. 31 of the respective year.
Further breakdown of Virginia’s prison population decrease
As of the end of 2022, Virginia prisons held a total of 27,162 people, according to the DOJ.
In total, 17.9% more Virginians were released from prison in 2022 than in 2021. Releases that year included nearly 100 prisoner deaths, 948 unconditional releases and nearly 11,500 conditional releases, according to the DOJ.
Additionally, the admission rate to state prisons in Virginia fell by 9.4%, with nearly 1,000 fewer new court commitments during 2022 when compared to the previous year.
According to the DOJ, while private prisons in Virginia saw a decrease of 11.3% in their populations, local jail populations went down by over 44%.
Looking into prison demographics, Virginia prisons saw an 18% decline in their female populations and a 9.9% decline in their male populations.
No state-level statistics were provided for race or ethnicity, but the DOJ reported a higher incarceration rate for non-white prisoners during the data period.
Over 400 persons 17 years old or younger were in state or federal prisons in 2022. Virginia was one of a handful of states that reported four or fewer minors in its state prisons.
A small percentage of Virginia prisoners in 2022 were not U.S. citizens — 5.3%, or a total of 1,268 people.
The most serious offense committed by over half of those in Virginia’s state prisons in 2021 was a violent crime, according to the DOJ. At 62.6%, it far exceeds the next-highest rate, which was 16.1% for drug-related offenses.
