New CCE Data Snapshot: Jail Population Climbs to Highest Level in Over a Decade

July 29, 2026 - CCE's newest analysis shows that the D.C. jail population is over 18% higher than a year ago and has grown by nearly 1,000 people compared to summer 2023. A growing population, driven by longer case processing times, increased prosecutions, and a growing court backlog, increases costs, strains staff, and compromises safety at the jail.

The average daily population of the jail has grown by 73%—about 1,000 more people housed on any given day—from the summer of 2023 to the summer of 2026. While the population of the Central Detention Facility (CDF) has grown about 60%, as of the week ending in July 24, 2026 the population of the Central Treatment Facility (CTF) has more than doubled, from 362 people in the summer of 2023 to an average daily population of 741 people. Notably, the daily population of the D.C. jail jumped above 2,300 people several times in June and July, and peaked at 2,342 residents on July 21, 2026.

CCE Senior Policy Counsel Katie McConville, who conducted the data analysis, said:

“With more than 2,300 people living in an over fifty-years-old jail plagued with conditions issues, it’s more important than ever that the District prioritize incarcerating fewer people and finalize plans to renovate and replace our dilapidated jail facilities.”

If D.C.’s jail population continues to grow, the District will need to spend millions of additional dollars to keep residents and staff safe and to ensure constitutional and contractual standards related to food and healthcare are maintained. With a flat operating budget between FY2026 and FY2027, this could mean DOC has fewer resources available for programs and services shown to help people and communities thrive. CCE and the District Task Force on Jails & Justice have made multiple recommendations on ways to safely reduce the number of jail residents.

“Nobody’s loved one should have to work or wait in a hot jail plagued with conditions issues, ” said McConville.

See the full data brief here.