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Lawmakers ask OPE to analyze drivers of Idaho's rising prison population
Summary
Senator Ruckdy asked OPE to study what is driving growth in Idaho's prison population — admissions, sentence length or other factors — noting Idaho now ranks fifth highest for incarceration and citing a 2027 budget of $388 million for corrections.
Senator Ruckdy told the committee he wants OPE to evaluate the key drivers behind Idaho's growing prison population and the state's correctional spending. "$388,000,000 is what we budgeted in 2027," he said, adding an estimated $51,000,000 was required for out‑of‑state placements. He noted Idaho's population has increased 44% over the past 20 years and asked OPE to determine how much of prison growth is explained by population growth versus changes in admissions or lengths of stay.
OPE Director Ryan Langrell described the project as medium in size and feasible, with expected stakeholder engagement across courts, corrections and pardons and parole. The committee approved the prison growth study as one of its four priorities for OPE to scope and schedule.
