There is little question that the financial situation in the United States is at its worst since the 1930s. Yet, there is a silver lining to this economic cloud in that the number of people imprisoned by the various states has declined for the first time in decades. Since 1972 those incarcerated in state facilities has increased by a factor of seven, with inmates there on charges related to drug prohibition accounting for 20 to 25 percent of the total. However, a new survey, Prison Count 2010, shows the state prison population actually decreased last year by over 5000 persons.

However, the federal system presents a different story where the number of those imprisoned increased enough last year to produce an overall total more than 1000 people higher. Perhaps the difference lies in the fact that many states must balance their budgets while the federal government seems to have a credit card with no limits allowing harsh and counterproductive drug policies.

Cross posted on The Trebach Report