Line chart of the number of white, black, and Hispanic jail inmates from 1990 to 2008 (three lines, one for each group). Blacks out-numbered whites consistently from 1990 to 1995. In 1996, 1998, 2000-2008 whites predominated while in 1997 and 1999 blacks again were the largest group.
For non-Hispanic whites, the number of jail inmates began at 169,400 in 1990 and rose to 338,200 in 2007. In 2008, it decreased to 333,300.
For non-Hispanic blacks, the number of jail inmates began at 172,300 in 1990 and rose to 308,000 in 2008.
For Hispanics of any race, the number of jail inmates began at 58,000 in 1990 and rose to a high of 128,500 in 2008.