Women’s prison population, correctional costs projected to grow through 2035

A new report from the Council on Criminal Justice highlights that the cost of incarcerating women is substantially higher than for men, creating a significant financial strain on state and local correctional systems. Estimates suggest it costs between $87,000 and $122,000 annually to house a woman in prison, which is 25% to 75% more than the cost for men. This projection predicts that both the women’s prison population and related costs will continue to grow through 2035, raising important questions about the economic and social implications of current correctional policies.