Inmate Populations in Minnesota

photo courtesy of The Situationist

According to the collected data by the Bureau of Justice (2008), as of 2007 Minnesota imprisons a total of 9,468 prisoners under state or federal correction authorities. In 2007 the female prisoner population accounted for 602 persons and male prisoners accounted for 8,866. The male population is over 14 times greater than the number of females incarcerated!

The female population, dating from 2000-2007, is increasing at a rate of 7.1-7.3% compared to the male population, which is increasing at a rate of 1.8-1.9% according to the data provided by the Bureau of Justice (2008). In comparison with the rest of the country, Minnesota does very well, ranking at the bottom for the number of incarcerated prisoners per population. The yearly increase in population, however, is much higher than the national average. The percentage increase for the males is 3.7% compared to the national average of 1.8%. A large increase can also be seen in female incarceration as represented by a population increase of 7.1% compared with the national average of 1.7% (Bureau of Justice, 2008).

What might account for the correction systems continual population swell? A possible explanation for the increase of both male and female prisoners under the state and federal correction authority may be due, in part, to an increase in the states overall population. Another reason for the increases may be a result of the rise of drug use and the countries declaration of war on drugs. The economy may also contribute to this boost; unemployment is at an all time high, which may possibly lead to more theft. Declining educational standards across the country may also contribute. The continual break down of the nuclear family may also put a strain on individuals that may also lead to a life of crime. Decreased funding for community programs, such as the girls and boys club, after school programs and big sisters & big brothers, may also affect the rate at which juveniles commit crime and recommit again later as adults.

David Wilson (2008) a former British prison governor and criminologist, acknowledges the low number of prisoners versus the states population as an amazing and desirable trend that is unique to Minnesota. He is curious to find out how Minnesota remains at the bottom of the list for number of prisoners incarcerated. On a visit to MN, he asked individuals involved with the corrections system what they believe is the reason for the low numbers and “by far the most common answer was: "we put in jail those people we are frightened of, not those that we are mad at"”(Wilson, 2008, para. 6). Minnesota’s philosophy may act as an inspiration for the rest of the nation, the prison population will continue to increase as long as the nation continues to implement prison time when possibly penalties or probation may suffice for lesser non violent crimes.

References:

Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2008). Prisoners in 2007 NCJ 224280 [Chart]. Washington, DC: West, H.C. Retrieved from https://webcampus.nevada.edu/webct/urw/lc33129041.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct

Wilson, D. (2008, January 11). Minnesota's prison miracle. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jan/11/minnesotaprisonmiracle