While the number of inmates in state prisons dropped nationally in 2009, Louisiana was one of 23 states to see an increase. According to the Pew Center for the States’ Prison Count 2010, Louisiana’s inmate population grew by 3.7%, or 1,399 prisoners, last year. Pennsylvania, Indiana and Florida were the only states to add more inmates than Louisiana did in the state prison system. Pew researchers credit the nationwide decrease of 5,739 inmates, or 0.4% of the inmate population, to states adopting cost-saving measures, such as speeding up the release of nonviolent inmates who complete risk-reduction programs and diverting probation and parole violators from jails. California saw the biggest drop in inmate population, with 4,257 fewer inmates in state prisons at the end of 2009 than at the start of the year. See the full report here.
La. sees fourth highest gain in inmate population
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