Idaho is grappling with an unprecedented challenge: it incarcerates more women per capita than any other place in the world. This alarming statistic has led to the construction of a new $134 million women’s prison south of Boise, set to open in November 2027. The facility will feature 504 beds, span 50 acres, and cover 166,000 square feet. It aims to address overcrowding and improve conditions by incorporating trauma-informed care, body scanners, and facilities for women to cook their own meals.
Challenges in Current Facilities
Currently, women are housed at the South Idaho Correctional Institution (SICI), a facility originally designed for men. This has resulted in logistical challenges, such as restricted movements for women to access services like food and church. Bree Derrick, Director of the Idaho Department of Correction, highlights the difficulties in managing the mixed-gender facility, describing it as a ‘nightmare’ for staff.
Understanding the Incarceration Rates
Idaho’s female incarceration rate stands at 152 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the national average of 51. A large portion of these women, approximately 66%, are serving sentences for drug-related offenses. The state’s mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking, in place since 1992, are cited as a major factor driving these high rates. Additionally, 60% of incarcerated women are there due to parole or probation violations rather than new offenses.
Calls for Reform
The Idaho Justice Project and other advocates argue that building a new prison does not address the underlying issues. They call for reforms such as expanding community-based mental health and substance use treatment programs, reforming sentencing laws, and improving the parole system. These measures aim to reduce recidivism and provide better support for women before they enter the criminal justice system.
As Idaho moves forward with its new prison project, the state must also confront the deeper questions about its high incarceration rates and consider reforms that could prevent women from entering the system in the first place.
Original reporting: KTVB (Boise metro) — read the source article.
