Ensuring public safety and building thriving communities are always top priorities for state leaders. Building on Idaho’s work to reform criminal justice policies would go a long way towards making these goals a reality in our state. Over the last 25 years, prison spending increased by over 200 percent, one of the highest increases in the nation, using public dollars that could have been invested in schools, higher education, and other policy priorities. It is also clear that Idaho incarcerates people at higher rates than previous generations and has outpaced other states in growth in prison spending. These trends have deep implications for the state budget and for Idahoans who are incarcerated, their families and their communities.
To continue reading this report, please open the PDF here.