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Behind the Bars . . .

SUPPORT, MODEL, MENTOR

In 2009, one in every 31 adults in the United States was either in prison, in jail, or on supervised release. That translates to 7.3 million people. State corrections costs now top $52 billion annually and consume one in every 15 discretionary dollars. Nationally, 43 percent of prisoners released in 2004 were reincarcerated within three years. In Kentucky, 43 percent of those released in 2007 were reincarcerated within three years. It is estimated over 60% of those released from prison find themselves in prison again. Within the first year, 44% return to prison. This figure increases to 70% after three years.

COST TO INCARCERATE

The cost of incarcerating an inmate in Kentucky is close to $19,000 per inmate per year. There are approximately 21,000 men and women incarcerated in Kentucky prisons and jails. Kentucky spends about $450 million annually on corrections. Spending on corrections has quadrupled over the past two decades. Over the course of time, 95% of those who are incarcerated will be released and will return to our communities. Unfortunately, support systems that prepare ex-offenders to return and to live healthy, productive, crime-free lives are limited.