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

The Council on Criminal Justice's report highlights a troubling trend: the women's prison population and associated costs are set to surge through 2035. This gender disparity in incarceration expenses — which run between $87,000 and $122,000 per woman annually, significantly higher than for men — puts a considerable strain on state and local budgets. The implications are profound, pointing to a need for systemic reform in how we address female offenders and the broader societal factors driving this increase, such as economic and social support structures.