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1 in 100 Americans in Prison

'Tough on crime' proving expensive stance as state resources dwindle, study reports

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 28, 2008 2:45 PM CST
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(Newser) – One American adult out of 100 is incarcerated, a new study shows—the first time in US history such a high proportion of the population is behind bars. The Pew Center on the States reports the nationwide prison population grew by 25,000 last year, to 1.6 million, with around 700,000 others in local jails.

“Incarceration is an easy response to crime,” the center’s director tells the New York Times. “Being tough on crime is an easy position to take, particularly if you have the money. And we did have the money in the ’80s and ’90s.” But the rising expense—an average 7% of state budgets—is prompting some states to consider alternate approaches for nonviolent offenders.

An inmate at the Mule Creek State Prison exercises through pull-ups in an outside yard August 28, 2007 in Ione, California. A panel of three federal judges is looking to put a cap on the California State Prison population after class action lawsuits were filed on behalf of inmates who...
An inmate at the Mule Creek State Prison exercises through pull-ups in an outside yard August 28, 2007 in Ione, California. A panel of three federal judges is looking to put a cap on the California State...   (Getty Images )
For the first time in the nation's history, more than one in 100 American adults is behind bars, according to a new report by the Pew Center on the States.
For the first time in the nation's history, more than one in 100 American adults is behind bars, according to a new report by the Pew Center on the States.   (Shutterstock)
The front of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Twin Towers Correctional Facility building is shown Friday June 8, 2007 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The front of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Twin Towers Correctional Facility building is shown Friday June 8, 2007 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
drlarrymitchell
Jun 9, 2009 4:22 AM CDT
"But the rising expense is prompting some states to consider alternate approaches for nonviolent offenders." IT'S ABOUT TIME!

Tight budgets force some states to be creative
Associated Press

State governments spend almost $50 billion a year on corrections
Washington Post

 
California • Department of Justice • FBI • Texas • prison • prison system • prisoners • jail • prison population • Pew Center on the States • race in prison • Paul Cassell • nonviolent offenders

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