Wyoming Struggling To Pay For More Inmates

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming's increasing incarceration rate is driving up prison costs at a time when the state is coping with a budget shortfall.

Officials say most of those being put in prison are there for nonviolent crimes, including drunken driving, drug possession, shoplifting or burglary.

Options to deal with the issue include reforming criminal sentencing laws or spend nearly $20 million to update or expand prisons.

Researchers point out that over a five year period, Wyoming's crime rate dropped 24 percent, while the state's incarceration rate grew by 7 percent.