R. Reese Fuller

1 in 55 behind bars

by R. Reese Fuller

The Pew Center on the States reports that 1 in 31 adults in America is in prison or jail, or on probation or parole. In a report released yesterday, the group says 25 years ago, that number was 1 in 77. In Louisiana, 1 in 26 adults is in the correctional system, and 1 in 55 is behind bars in jail or prison. In 2008, Louisiana spent $625 million on corrections, 6.4 percent of the state budget. For a breakdown of Louisiana's numbers, read this state fact sheet PDF.