PA. Prison Population Increases
By: David Kaplar
Updated: March 17, 2010
HARRISBURG - While the national prison population decreased for the first time in 38 years, Pennsylvania's inmate count showed the largest increase of any state, according to a report by the Pew Center.
The report showed an overall national drop in the number of state inmates of .4%, but Pennsylvania's inmate population went up by 4.3%. In 2009, Pennsylvania added 2,122 inmates to the state system; that is the largest number of any state. The states with the largest declines were California, Michigan and New York. Budget problems were cited as the reason for the declines, with states releasing prisoners early in order to save money.
To see the full report, click here
The report showed an overall national drop in the number of state inmates of .4%, but Pennsylvania's inmate population went up by 4.3%. In 2009, Pennsylvania added 2,122 inmates to the state system; that is the largest number of any state. The states with the largest declines were California, Michigan and New York. Budget problems were cited as the reason for the declines, with states releasing prisoners early in order to save money.
To see the full report, click here
