Incarceration Trends in Nevada: A Focus on Men & Women

Overview: In 2022, Nevada had an incarceration rate of 322 prisoners per 100,000 residents, representing a 25% drop from the 2016 peak. Almost all inmates are housed in state-run facilities, no private or local jail reliance.

Historic Rise of Women’s Incarceration: The last few decades have seen an unprecedented surge in women behind bars.

Since 1980:

• Women in jails: +1,088%

• Women in prisons: +1,166%

• From 76 women in prison (1978) to 1,266 by 2017, a 16‑fold increase .

In the past decade, female incarceration grew 39%, compared to a 7% rise in the overall prison population.

Gender Gap Insights: While specific current data by gender aren’t available, it's evident that women’s incarceration is escalating much faster than men’s in Nevada. This highlights a growing gender gap in criminal justice outcomes.

Why This Matters: Women often face unique challenges when incarcerated, including health, mental health, and family caregiving responsibilities, that require tailored policies and programs. The rapid increase underscores an urgent need for gender-responsive solutions.

Looking Ahead: As policymakers and communities plan for criminal justice reform, addressing the unique trajectory of women’s incarceration is crucial. Ideally, future reporting will offer full gender breakdowns to help shape equitable strategies.