A VIEW OF THE FUTURE - THE EFFECT OF POLICY ON PRISON POPULATION-GROWTH

The prison population in Illinois is projected to increase from over 28,000 to nearly 45,400 by the year 2000. It will cost $1.2 billion for construction just to maintain prison crowding at 68% double and multicelling. This article examines the factors driving this growth, provides a projection of the future prison population levels, and simulates a variety of policy options that could lower the projections. This approach illustrates the usefulness of simulation models in showing decision makers the futures they may create.