Human Services News

From Economic Policy Institute:

A recent study released by the Pew Center on the States examines the rapid growth of the U.S. prison population, which has tripled over the past 20 years.

The United States now holds the distinction of imprisoning more of its own citizens, both in total number and share of the adult population, than any other country in the world.

While states struggle with gaping budget shortfalls (see the recent report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities), incarceration rates and costs continue to escalate, consuming growing portions of state general funds.

As corrections costs increase, states are forced to make cuts in other programs, such as transportation and education.

In the past 20 years, total state spending on higher education has increased 21% (from $60.3 billion to $72.9 billion, in 2007 dollars), while corrections spending has more than doubled, increasing 127% (from $19.4 billion to $44.1 billion).

Since 1997, however, the growth in corrections spending has outpaced higher education by only 18 percentage points, compared with the previous gap of 66 percentage points.

Without reform in these policies, states will face accelerating fiscal problems.

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A weekly presentation of downloadable charts and short analyses designed to graphically illustrate important economic issues, Snapshots are updated every Wednesday.

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