Report May Explain Why Kentucky's Prisoners are Disappearing
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March 19, 2010
FRANKFORT, Ken. - A new report provides an inside look at how Kentucky has managed to reduce its number of state prison inmates. The decline is part of a national trend. Figures from the Pew Center on the States indicate, for the first time since 1972, the number of inmates in state prisons at the beginning of this year was 0.4 percent lower nationally than in 2009; about 5,000 less for a total of around 1.4 million. In Kentucky, prisons hosted 300 fewer inmates in 2009.
Jake Horowitz, program manager for Pew's Public Safety Performance Project, attributes the decrease to programs focused on keeping those at risk out of prison in the first place, and systems to help keep released inmates from returning.
"A new emphasis on substance abuse diversion and treatment, credits for time served under supervision for non-violent parole violators, and increased credit and paroles for inmates who reduce their risk of re-offense by completing programs behind bars."
While small on face value, Kentucky's decrease in prison population is made more impressive by looking at another number, she adds.
"Kentucky, in our 2008 report, was the fastest-growing prison population in the country at the time."
In a rough economy, Horowitz admits it's tempting for states to cut programs that help inmates get out and stay out of prison.
"But when it comes up for consideration of parole for these offenders, and in fact, their recidivism rates, which are contingent on them completing these programs, they're going to see a lot more recycling of inmates into the system."
The amount of money spent on prisons in Kentucky surged 50 percent between 2003 and 2008. Horowitz says prevention and counseling programs help curb some of the expenses of keeping an inmate behind bars and give taxpayers a better return on their investment, while maintaining public safety.
The full report is at www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=57795.