Average Inmate Spends Less Than 9 Hours in Jail

The average inmate in Orange County Jail is male, white, single and between the ages of 18 and 30.

His crime more than likely is a misdemeanor traffic-related offense, usually drunk driving, and he spends less than 9 hours in custody in the central jail in Santa Ana.

This profile, contained in a study of the county’s correction needs into the next century, is based on inmates released from the men’s central jail in May, 1987, the most recent statistics used for the study.

The portrait is similar to that in a 1983 study. The only significant difference is the length of the jail stay. In 1983, 40% of the male inmates arrested were released in less than 9 hours. The new study found that 56% were out of jail within 9 hours, the result of severe overcrowding in the jail that has forced authorities to release prisoners at a faster rate.

This indicates a “great deal of short-term in-and-out movement” within the jail, the latest study by the Omni-Group, a Santa Monica-based consulting firm contracted by the county to review the jail, concludes.

Among male inmates profiled in the new study, 56% were white, 67% were between the ages of 18 and 30, and 77% lived in Orange County. About 30% of those arrested were involved in an alcohol-related automobile offense. The vast majority were booked for misdemeanor offenses.

A similar profile emerged for women held in County Jail.

About 72% of the women were white, 69% were 18 to 30 years old and 77% lived in the county. Roughly 25% were arrested on alcohol-related automobile offenses, while 12% were held on drug charges. Of those jailed, 76% were for misdemeanor offenses.

Like the men, a higher percentage of women--78% in 1987 compared to 50% in 1983--were released within 9 hours of booking.