What does this measure?

The number of people incarcerated in local jails by race/ethnicity, expressed as a rate per 10,000 residents of that race/ethnicity.

Why is this important?

Incarceration serves to remove offenders from a community, but also creates hardships on families, including the loss of an income or a caregiver, in addition to long-term effects on mental health for all involved. After incarceration, people often encounter challenges in obtaining meaningful employment, leading to reductions in long-term productivity, recidivism and widespread effects on a community's social, health and educational systems. Disparities in this rate by race or ethnicity can highlight structural differences in how communities are affected and treated by the public safety and criminal justice system.

How is our region performing?

In 2018, incarceration rates in the Mid-Hudson Valley region for most racial groups were slightly above the state (excluding NYC) rates, with the highest amongst Black or African Americans, at 89 per 10,000 residents. This rate was followed by 26 per 10,000 for Hispanic residents, 25 per 10,000 for Native American residents, 17 per 10,000 for White residents, and 10 per 10,000 for Asian residents. Incarceration rates for African American and Hispanic residents was highest in Columbia (at 177 for Black residents, and 69 for Hispanic residents). Ulster count had the highest rate for Native American (60) and White residents (23), and Orange had the highest rate for Asian residents (16). Rates were lowest for Black, White, and Asian residents in Greene (37, 10 and 0 respectively) ) and lowest for Hispanics in Sullivan (17).

All racial and ethnic groups in the region, except for Whites, have seen a decrease in incarceration rate from 2000 to 2018. The rate amongst African American residents decreased 21% in that time, while the rate for White residents increased by nearly 55%.

Why do these dispartities exist?

Scholars have tied numerous factors to disparities in incarceration, including racialized stereotypes, policies and practices and community conditions. Stereotypes that portray Black and Latino people, especially males, as inherently dangerous, criminal, and violent lay the foundation for police surveillance and disparate and harsher treatment by the criminal justice system. Communities of color are more likely to be under surveillance and policies such as stop and frisk perpetuate increased police contact. Punitive drug laws have had disproportionate impact on Black and Latino communities. Even though Blacks and whites have similar rates of drug use, Black people are more likely to be arrested and experience harsher sentences. In general, whites experience less harsh sentenced when convicted of similar crimes as Black and Latinos. Given economic disparities, people of color are less likely to experience pre-trial release after arrest. The concentration of Black and Latino communities in highly segregated communities with limited economic opportunities and ineffective schools may also foster crime involvement.

Notes about the data

National data for subgroups is not available.