After a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, California lawmakers enacted reforms that directed thousands of inmates to serve time in county jails rather than state prisons. The number of inmate homicides climbed in several counties that previously had few killings.
| County | Before realignment (2005-2011) | After (2012-2018) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 17 | ||
| San Diego | 7 | ||
| Riverside | 6 | ||
| Fresno | 5 | ||
| Sacramento | 5 | ||
| San Bernardino | 4 | ||
| Merced | 3 | ||
| Alameda | 3 | ||
| Orange | 3 | ||
| Kern | 2 | ||
| Kings | 1 | ||
| Del Norte | 1 | ||
| Santa Clara | 1 | ||
| Ventura | 1 |
