Since 1977, jail and other local corrections costs have risen sixfold, with local jail expenditures reaching $25 billion. Newly released data indicates that U.S. jail populations dropped 25 percent from June 2019 to June 2020, driven mostly by COVID-19. At an average annual cost of $34,000 per incarcerated person, finding ways to reduce the use of jails represents significant cost savings for counties.

This webinar features new research from the Pew Charitable Trusts that shows jail costs are rising even as crime and new jail admissions are falling. County leaders will share their perspective on the rising cost of jails and practical solutions for reducing local expenses and preserving public safety.