Correctional Facilities Population

Question

I understand from the Census Dictionary that residents of correctional facilities are enumerated using the institution's administrative records. Is it possible to find out exactly the nature of the information recorded? And would anyone know the method by which the admin record is translated into a census record?

Is the correctional facilities population included in aggregate records for the Census at any geographic level?

Answer

It is correct that correctional facilities are enumerated using the institution's administrative records. Census enumerators complete the 3A Census questionnaire for usual residents in correctional facilities using their administrative records. The 3A form collects basic demographic data: marital status, sex, date of birth(age), and first language.

Usual Residents of correctional facilities are considered as part of the institutional population. Any Census product (regardless of geographic level) where the universe includes institutional population will include residents of correctional facilities unless otherwise stated. For example, the 2006 Census population counts released on March 13, 2007 and the Age & Sex data released on July 17, 2007 include the institutional population and as a result include the residents of correctional facilities.