NCJ Number
222258
Date Published
December 2007
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This report presents a prison population forecast for the State of Iowa for fiscal year 2007 to 2017, as well as the impact of current policies and procedures on prison population growth.
Abstract
Several factors are attributed to Iowa’s prison growth, such as an increase in inmate average length of stay, continuing high levels of admissions of drug offenders, housing Federal prisoners/detainees, and the impact of statutory changes pertaining to sex offenders. One opportunity for addressing over-population in the prison system is the continued emphasis on the use of intermediate sanctions in the judicial districts. Another opportunity lies in Iowa’s response to drug offenders. Iowa needs to continue to examine drug offenders and drug sentences to ensure effective handling of those committed to prison for drug offenses. There has also been an expansion of drug courts statewide. Drug courts have been shown to be successful in diverting some offenders from prison. The anticipated impact of these changes is included in the population forecast presented in this report and include: in the short-term, June 30, 2008, Iowa’s prison population is expected to exceed official capacity by about 18.5 percent, if current offender behaviors and justice system trends, policies, and practices continue; and in the long-term, the prison population may be expected to increase from 8,807 inmates on June 30, 2007, to about 9,730 inmates on June 30, 2017, about 10.5 percent over the 10-year period. Prior to these changes, 11,383 inmates were projected by mid-year 2016. The report is intended to provide an indication of the direction Iowa can anticipate its prison population will move under current policies and procedures. Tables and figures