U.S. Sees First Decrease in Prison Population in Nearly 40 Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. prison population has dropped for the first time in nearly 40 years.

According to the most recent government data, the number of inmates is down 1.3 percent, to about 7 million offenders behind bars. Much of the decline, officials say, is due to a well-informed group of policymakers.

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Justice Department and States Address Prisoner Recidivism

WASHINGTON — On Dec. 8., the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) sponsored a forum of policymakers from all 50 states to focus on improving success rates for people released from prison. The event positioned states to set goals, or to expand on existing goals, for reducing recidivism through cost-effective strategies in their communities.

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