Conn. Inmate Population Could Hit 5-Year Low

HARTFORD, Conn.— Policy analysts in Connecticut say ongoing efforts to combat recidivism and treat nonviolent offenders in community settings should push the state’s prison population to a five-year low.

The inmate population during the first week of December averaged 18,187, but the latest number still stands marginally above the level the division projected one year ago.

It also is nearly 2,200 inmates above the level state correction worker unions insist represents the prison system’s true capacity, though labor spokesmen praised the legislature for ordering steps that have begun to mitigate overcrowding issues.