Local prison populations declining, more on probation and parole

The number of people on probation and parole jumped last year in the District, Maryland and Virginia, in contrast to a decline nationwide — but local prison populations dropped, bucking a nationwide increase.

The number of people under correctional supervision nationwide dropped 0.7 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, according to Bureau of Justice Statistics data released Tuesday, the first overall decline since the agency began reporting the data in 1980. The probation population dropped 0.9 percent, the parole population declined 0.7 percent and the prison populuation rose 0.2 percent.