This table compares the demographic profiles of inmates incarcerated in Texas prisons in 1975 with those in prison in 2002 by race/ethnicity, gender, age, intelligence, and place of prior residence. In general, the typical Texas prison inmate in 1975 and in 2002 is young, urban minority male who is below average in intelligence. This general tendency has strengthened as the inmate population has undergone tremendous growth since 1975. In 1975, about 150 of every 100,000 Texans was in a state prison facility. By 2002, more than 579 of every 100,000 Texans was imprisoned by the state. Notably these figures do not include additional prisoners as of 2002 housed in private prison or state jail facilities. County and municipal jail populations are also excluded. Minorities make up a large majority of the prison population, far more than their share of the total population. Overwhelmingly, Texas prisons house men. In 1975 more than three-quarters were under 35 years of age. Today the majority is over 35. IQ scores for prisoners have generally been below average (average is approximately 100) and declining somewhat in the prison population. Finally, the majority of inmates come from the state's major metropolitan areas, though the percentages from smaller Texas cities and more rural Texas counties has grown significantly since 1975.

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