Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Lock Up Fewer Idahoans, Cut Crime

Only two states have a lower crime rate than Idaho. Only one has a higher proportion of its population caught up in the corrections system. One of every 18 Idaho adults is on probation, in prison or on parole. Why? One explanation: Idaho's penalties for failing probation, its short-term rider program and parole are severe. Someone in Idaho convicted of a non-violent crime will serve 3.9 years in prison, 70 percent longer than the national average. Anyone convicted of a drug offense will serve an average of 4.1 years, nearly 86 percent longer than the national norm/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you think Idaho locks up too many people?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

Follow Dave online: