By Jimmie E. Gates
The Clarion-Ledger
JACKSON — Mississippi’s prison population, which has consistently ranked second in the nation per capita, has seen a decrease of almost 3,000 inmates in the last year.
On Jan. 25, 2014, the state’s prison population was 21,743 inmates. On Jan. 25, of this year, the state’s prison population was 18,845, a decrease of 2,898 inmates since the same time period last year. New Mississippi Department of Corrections Commission Marshall Fisher said the decrease is due to the State Parole Board releasing more nonviolent inmates or placing some offenders on house arrest.
Fisher said that as a result of fewer inmates, MDOC should end this budget year with a budget surplus. Often the legislature has had to approve a deficit appropriation for MDOC to meet its current year budget obligations. Fisher said MDOC will have to rework a private prison contract because it no longer has the number of inmates to fill the space.
Full story: Mississippi’s prison population dropping