The number of inmates in the New Hampshire state prison system increased 560% in twenty-five years, from 394 inmates in 1982 to 2,615 in 2007. Factors commonly associated with increases in a state’s prison population fail to explain the extraordinary rise in the number of New Hampshire state prison inmates. As shown in the table below, New Hampshire’s resident population, number of people living in poverty, and number of violent crimes have not increased as fast as the number of inmates held in New Hampshire’s state prisons. In fact, while the number of state prison inmates increased almost six times from 1982 to 2007, the number of property crimes and the number of arrests for all crimes in New Hampshire actually declined.
|
|
NH Prison Inmates |
NH Resident Population |
NH Residents in Poverty |
NH Total Arrests |
NH Drug Arrests |
NH Violent Crimes |
NH Property Crimes |
|
1982 |
394 |
951,001 |
53,256 |
47,780* |
2,682* |
1,187 |
35,229 |
|
2007 |
2,615 |
1,315,828 |
76,318 |
38,396 |
2,570 |
1,807 |
24,896 |
|
Percent Change |
563.7% |
38.4% |
43.3% |
-19.6% |
-4.2% |
52.2% |
-29.3% |
* New Hampshire arrest data is from 1987
Since the increase in state prison inmates cannot be attributed to increases in population, residents in poverty, violent crimes, or drug arrests, we propose that growth in the New Hampshire state prison population has been caused primarily by policy changes within the criminal justice system. These policies include more severe penalties for violent and non-violent criminal offenses, longer sentences for offenders, and increasingly harsh penalties for recidivism. In addition, there is no consistent, statewide use of alternative sentencing or release support programs, and state operated mental health treatment infrastructure has been reduced.
For more of the Center's work on prison trends, click here.
Comments