Jail populations are bouncing back to near pre-pandemic levels

The population in U.S. jails, like the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail pictured above, has risen since the pandemic. Most jail inmates are either awaiting court action on a current charge or held in jail for other reasons. (Reed Saxon/AP)

A report from the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics reveals new information about the more than 663,000 people held in custody in local jails across the country as of the first six months of 2022.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, local jails and prisons released thousands of inmates early due to the health risks posed by the disease. Now, jails are reporting that the population has increased since.