Department of Corrections - Prison Population Growth

Arizona's prison population has grown significantly in the last 30 years and is expected to continue growing. The State has addressed this growth by constructing new prison facilities and contracting with private prisons, among other things. The State has several options for addressing this growth in the future. The State could continue to build prisons and/or contract for private prisons. The State could also consider diverting more nonviolent, low-risk offenders from prison or reducing their time in prison, and expanding the use of nonprison alternatives for these offenders, such as home arrest. In addition, using more nonprison alternatives for parole violators could also reduce the prison population.