The old cliché’ about necessity being the mother of invention is evident in how Canyon officials are attempting to deal with an increasing prison population and a facility not designed to handle them all, not to mention another important factor – saving tax dollars. The county is using an ankle bracelet monitoring system to keep tabs on inmates instead of incarcerating them. Ankle bracelet systems allow those who are first-time offenders or non-violent offenders to stay out of jail while still being accounted for by the courts. The money-saving element is no small factor either. For example, the per day cost for a prisoner at the Canyon County Jail is $50-$54. The average cost for an ankle bracelet is around $10 a day/Mitch Coffman, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: Does Idaho incarcerate too many people?