How Much Each State Spends on Prisons
Make no mistake about it, the prison industry is just that — an industry. The criminal legal system relies on both federal and state prisons to hold incarcerated people and support public safety. Prisons and jails come with an immense financial burden, but they also can turn a profit as private prisons can almost incentivize the criminal justice system.
That aside, when you look at how much the U.S. spends on the prison system it can be eye-opening. In a recent GOBankingRates study, it was discovered that the country, as a whole, spends over $86.9 million on corrections. This comes out to be about 1.93% of the total budget. Whether you work for law enforcement or are awaiting trial, it’s good to know how much money is being put into the prison system of the state you live in.
Several factors contribute to the variation in prison spending across states.
Here are some key takeaways:
States with larger numbers of people in the prison populations, like California and Texas, which house millions of people, naturally incur higher total costs. However, the per-inmate cost can vary depending on the efficiency of the prison system, the types of facilities used, the holding capacity for the general population or solitary confinement and rehabilitation programs.
States with a higher cost of living, such as New York and California, face higher expenses for staff salaries, health care, mental health programs and facility maintenance.
States that prioritize rehabilitation and reentry programs tend to spend more per inmate but may benefit from lower rates of recidivism in the long run. Conversely, states with more punitive approaches may face lower short-term costs but higher long-term societal costs.
The aging prison population and the prevalence of chronic health issues among inmates significantly impact healthcare costs. States that provide comprehensive services such as medical, dental or mental illness incur higher expenses but may improve inmate health outcomes.
Older facilities require more maintenance and upgrades, increasing operational costs. States with newer or better-maintained facilities can manage lower costs.
Quick Take:
10 States That Spend the Most on Prisons
The following states spend the largest percentage of the state and local budget on prisons:
Virginia
Idaho
Delaware
New Mexico
Nevada
Arizona
California
Maryland
Alaska
Wisconsin
10 States That Spend the Least on Prisons
The following states spend the smallest amount of the state and local budget on prisons:
Hawaii
Iowa
Vermont
Illinois
Missouri
South Carolina
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Minnesota
New Hampshire
Also see the overall cost of living in each state.
For You: Here’s How Much the Definition of Middle Class Has Changed in Every State
Discover More: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Don’t Realize They Should Do This One Thing
What Each State Spends on Prisons: Ranked From Highest to Lowest Expenditures
The high cost of prison systems poses significant challenges for state budgets, often requiring trade-offs with other critical services. Some states are exploring alternatives to incarceration, such as diversion programs for non-violent offenders, increased use of parole and investment in mental health and addiction services. These measures aim to reduce the prison population and associated costs while improving public safety and inmate rehabilitation.
Here is how much each state spends on prisons and corrections based on the overall budget allotted for the state.
Check Out: 6 Reasons the Poor Stay Poor and Middle Class Doesn’t Become Wealthy
Be Aware: Net Worth for Gen X: How To Tell If You’re Poor, Middle-Class, Upper Middle-Class or Rich
Virginia
Expenditure cost for corrections: $3,018,432
Total state and local expenditures: $104,653,764
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.88%
See Next: The 50 Happiest States in America and How Much It Costs to Live There
Idaho
Expenditure cost for corrections: $492,724
Total state and local expenditures: $17,360,083
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.84%
Delaware
Expenditure cost for corrections: $376,554
Total state and local expenditures: $14,478,840
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.60%
New Mexico
Expenditure cost for corrections: $806,699
Total state and local expenditures: $31,039,728
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.60%
Nevada
Expenditure cost for corrections: $865,157
Total state and local expenditures: $33,961,341
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.55%
Explore More: Here’s What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born
Arizona
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,877,085
Total state and local expenditures: $76,450,727
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.46%
California
Expenditure cost for corrections: $17,995,178
Total state and local expenditures: $743,234,822
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.42%
Maryland
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,982,631
Total state and local expenditures: $84,783,324
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.34%
Alaska
Expenditure cost for corrections: $379,352
Total state and local expenditures: $16,401,206
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.31%
Be Aware: 7 Popular Clothing Brands the Middle Class Can’t Afford Anymore
Wisconsin
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,646,360
Total state and local expenditures: $71,511,754
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.30%
South Dakota
Expenditure cost for corrections: $231,445
Total state and local expenditures: $10,096,042
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.29%
Oregon
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,603,532
Total state and local expenditures: $70,030,154
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.29%
Florida
Expenditure cost for corrections: $5,143,835
Total state and local expenditures: $225,472,475
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.28%
Trending Now: Here’s How Much the Definition of Rich Has Changed in Every State
West Virginia
Expenditure cost for corrections: $472,396
Total state and local expenditures: $20,918,932
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.26%
Montana
Expenditure cost for corrections: $285,462
Total state and local expenditures: $12,801,591
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.23%
Nebraska
Expenditure cost for corrections: $595,559
Total state and local expenditures: $27,363,705
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.18%
Pennsylvania
Expenditure cost for corrections: $3,780,327
Total state and local expenditures: $176,924,751
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.14%
Michigan
Expenditure cost for corrections: $2,441,235
Total state and local expenditures: $118,129,599
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 2.07%
North Carolina
Expenditure cost for corrections: $2,234,429
Total state and local expenditures: $113,125,217
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.98%
Georgia
Expenditure cost for corrections: $2,120,035
Total state and local expenditures: $107,826,771
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.97%
Colorado
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,491,360
Total state and local expenditures: $79,255,120
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.88%
For You: I’m a Financial Advisor: Here’s Why My Rich Clients Identify With the Middle Class
North Dakota
Expenditure cost for corrections: $225,907
Total state and local expenditures: $12,048,973
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.87%
Connecticut
Expenditure cost for corrections: $879,171
Total state and local expenditures: $47,031,470
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.87%
Wyoming
Expenditure cost for corrections: $212,052
Total state and local expenditures: $11,386,915
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.86%
Washington
Expenditure cost for corrections: $2,153,289
Total state and local expenditures: $116,635,489
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.85%
Learn More: Net Worth for US Families: How To Tell If You’re Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich
Texas
Expenditure cost for corrections: $6,298,999
Total state and local expenditures: $341,824,819
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.84%
Oklahoma
Expenditure cost for corrections: $741,319
Total state and local expenditures: $40,991,117
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.81%
Tennessee
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,235,780
Total state and local expenditures: $69,914,191
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.77%
Arkansas
Expenditure cost for corrections: $537,914
Total state and local expenditures: $31,755,873
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.69%
Read Next: Toilet Paper to Discontinued Items: 7 Ways Shrinkflation Has Come to Costco
Indiana
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,246,008
Total state and local expenditures: $73,795,771
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.69%
Mississippi
Expenditure cost for corrections: $556,131
Total state and local expenditures: $33,349,686
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.67%
Maine
Expenditure cost for corrections: $264,201
Total state and local expenditures: $15,949,201
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.66%
Alabama
Expenditure cost for corrections: $927,482
Total state and local expenditures: $56,074,297
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.65%
Check Out: I’m a Bank Teller: 9 Reasons You Should Never Ask for $2 Bills From the Bank
Kentucky
Expenditure cost for corrections: $903,404
Total state and local expenditures: $54,704,140
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.65%
Louisiana
Expenditure cost for corrections: $906,027
Total state and local expenditures: $56,821,481
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.59%
Kansas
Expenditure cost for corrections: $571,907
Total state and local expenditures: $36,048,959
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.59%
New Jersey
Expenditure cost for corrections: $2,016,762
Total state and local expenditures: $129,859,445
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.55%
Discover More: How Much Does the Average Middle-Class Person Have in Savings?
Utah
Expenditure cost for corrections: $614,483
Total state and local expenditures: $40,642,575
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.51%
Ohio
Expenditure cost for corrections: $2,220,011
Total state and local expenditures: $147,217,234
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.51%
New York
Expenditure cost for corrections: $6,097,247
Total state and local expenditures: $407,504,646
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.50%
New Hampshire
Expenditure cost for corrections: $214,647
Total state and local expenditures: $15,054,862
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.43%
Read More: Don’t Buy a House in These 5 US Cities That Have Shrinking Populations and Fewer Buyers
Minnesota
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,167,359
Total state and local expenditures: $81,882,235
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.43%
Rhode Island
Expenditure cost for corrections: $225,503
Total state and local expenditures: $15,896,148
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.42%
Massachusetts
Expenditure cost for corrections: $1,632,536
Total state and local expenditures: $116,829,929
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.40%
South Carolina
Expenditure cost for corrections: $802,051
Total state and local expenditures: $58,442,283
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.37%
Find Out: Is Barbara Corcoran Right About the Housing Market?
Missouri
Expenditure cost for corrections: $888,414
Total state and local expenditures: $65,402,870
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.36%
Illinois
Expenditure cost for corrections: $2,387,783
Total state and local expenditures: $177,745,058
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.34%
Vermont
Expenditure cost for corrections: $149,604
Total state and local expenditures: $11,512,585
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.30%
Iowa
Expenditure cost for corrections: $492,994
Total state and local expenditures: $42,526,722
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.16%
Explore More: I’m a Real Estate Agent: 3 States Where You Should Sell Your Property in the Next 5 Years
Hawaii
Expenditure cost for corrections: $221,229
Total state and local expenditures: $21,880,729
Percentage of the total spent on corrections: 1.01%
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the most recent data for state and local government finances as sourced from the U.S. Census’s 2021 State & Local Government Finance Historical Dataset to find the total amount spent on expenditures for each state, as well as the expenditure amount spent on corrections in each state. Using those data points the percentage of the total expenditures spent on corrections can be calculated. The states were sorted by the most to the least percentage spent on corrections in each state. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 14th, 2024.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Each State Spends on Prisons