Legal Research

Tough on Crime Agenda Meets the Economy

By David Badertscher, PLL

The tough on crime issue that has been so prevalent throughout the United States has now apparently met its match--the economy.

According to a recent Pew Center report one in every 31 adults in the nation is incarcerated, a total of 7.3 million people.  Because of the recession, many states are scrambling to find ways to cut criminal justice costs, which can consume nearly 6 per cent of state budgets.  Some states like New York, Michigan, and Washington are considering prison closures.

In the State of Washington the Senate is recommending that $152 million be cut rom correction and criminal justice in the 2009-11 state budget; the House would cut more than $160 million.

Seattle Times

Full post as published by New York Supreme Court Criminal Term Library on April 09, 2009 (boomark / email).