JACKSON — Mississippi’s prison population, which has consistently ranked second in the nation per capita, has seen a decrease of almost 3,000 inmates in the last year.
On Jan. 25, 2014, the state’s prison population was 21,743 inmates. On Jan. 25, of this year, the state’s prison population was 18,845, a decrease of 2,898 inmates since the same time period last year.
New Mississippi Department of Corrections Commission Marshall Fisher tells The Clarion-Ledger the decrease is due to the State Parole Board releasing more nonviolent inmates or placing some offenders on house arrest.
Fisher said that as a result of fewer inmates, the correction department should end this budget year with a budget surplus. Often the legislature has had to approve a deficit appropriation to meet its current year budget obligations.
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