EKB News

A report compiled by the legislature's Program Review and Investigations Committee reveals, in the last decade, Kentucky's prison population and costs have experienced a sharp rise, while the average number of inmates increased by almost 42%, and annual costs rose by more than 53% from fiscal year 2000. On average, the state housed 21,473 inmates in 2009, compared to 15,164 in 2000, while Kentucky spent $451 million in 2009 to house those inmates, up from the $294 million spent in 2000. In 2008, a Pew Center report showed Kentucky's prison population was growing faster than other states. A staffer with the Program Review and Investigations Committee says the state's rate of inmates who re-offend is 42%, while the national average is 34%. Recommendations on how to decrease costs include, changing laws so persistent felony offender sentences only apply to those with violent offenses, shortening sentences for inmates who complete in-house programs, such as substance abuse programs, allowing inmates to be paid to run canteens and allowing the Kentucky Department of Corrections to contract with outside companies to employee prisoners.