Research
Our first focus is how sentencing laws drive prison growth, and what that growth costs. These are the questions we're working on now.
Current focus
Idaho
In progressAbout 10,000 people in prisons built for just over 8,200.
The state now relies on county jails and out-of-state contract beds, and the Department of Correction is asking lawmakers for $45.3 million to open nearly 1,000 new beds.
Our question: What is driving the growth, and what would it take to reverse it instead of building more?
Source: Idaho Department of Correction via East Idaho News, Sept. 2026
Idaho
In progress152 per 100,000 women, the highest rate in the nation.
Neighboring Utah's rate was 28 in 2023. Idaho corrections leaders say about 80% of incarcerated women are serving time for drug or other nonviolent convictions, and that the root causes aren't well understood.
Our question: Which sentences and revocations put women in Idaho prisons, and for how long?
Source: Idaho Department of Correction via East Idaho News, Sept. 2026
Idaho & Oregon
In progress3, 5, or 10 years for fentanyl trafficking, set by quantity.
Idaho's 2024 law (HB 406) set those terms by quantity and took the decision away from judges. Oregon voters set mandatory minimums for many violent offenses through Measure 11 in 1994.
Our question: Who is being sentenced under these laws, and what do the extra years buy in public safety?
Source: Idaho Capital Sun, Feb. 2024
Washington
New briefAbout 3,035 people would be eligible for sentence review under the Review Act.
Nearly half of people in Washington prisons were sentenced to 10 or more years or to life. The Review Act would let a judge take a second look. Our brief counts who would be eligible, county by county.
Our question: Who could safely come home through second look review, and where are they from?
Read the briefAlso on our radar
Local jails
Most people in local jails have not been convicted and are waiting for trial. Before counties build more beds, we urge them to fund pretrial services, treatment, and diversion.
Democracy
Washington and Oregon restore voting rights on release from prison. In Idaho, rights return only after the full sentence, including probation and parole. People are often told the wrong thing, so we push for clear notice at release.
Redistricting
Counting incarcerated people where the prison sits, rather than at home, shifts political power to prison towns. Washington now counts people at home. We support that approach across the region.
Employment
Washington and Oregon require most employers to wait before asking about records. Idaho does not. We support a statewide Idaho law.
See the state comparisonFamilies
Video calls should add to in-person visits, not replace them, and they should be affordable. Family contact is one of the best predictors of success after release.
Supervision
Revocations for technical violations send people back to prison without a new crime. We want to know how often that happens in each state, and at what cost.
How we work
Reporters and legislative staff: we're glad to help you find and read Northwest corrections data. Get in touch.