BOISE -- A sobering report about the number of Americans behind bars is out – and the figures are almost unbelievable.
One out of every 100 Americans is behind bars in this country - a historic high. The United States now has the largest prison population in the world.
But Idaho's numbers are even more shocking.
One out of every 34 male Idahoans is incarcerated or on parole in Idaho. One out of every 157 females is behind bars.
Nationwide, the prison population grew by 25,000 people last year. The total number of people incarcerated in the U.S. now totals 1.6 million.
In Idaho, there are 7,382 people either in prison or county jails. Another 13,000 people are on probation or parole.
Brent Reinke, director for the Idaho Department of Correction, says crime has not increased but the lengths of sentences have.
He says if something isn't done now the problem will only get worse. Reinke believes we can't just build ourselves out of the problem.
He wants Idaho to figure out how to provide sentences that punish appropriately, but where possible, allow inmates to be part of society.
"We need to be looking at this from a systemic standpoint so that we can hold those numbers down, keep Idaho's working, keep the violent criminals incarcerated, but work as a system with our substance abuse and mental health area," said Reinke.
as if we didn't throw out enough numbers. wait until you hear how many juveniles are a part of the system.
those numbers in Idaho are incredible too. we will have those details at six.
Local News
Damn that sad
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