![Idaho Lawmakers Search for Ways to Reduce Prison Population](http://townsquare.media/site/94/files/2018/06/GettyImages-53059919.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Idaho Lawmakers Search for Ways to Reduce Prison Population
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's climbing prison population has a group of lawmakers giving a second look at some recommendations made by policy experts three years ago, including reclassifying some felonies as misdemeanors and increasing efforts to prevent people from going to prison in the first place. The Criminal Justice Reinvestment Oversight Committee heard from state prison and probation officials and experts with the Council of State Governments on Monday. Idaho has more than 8,600 prison inmates today, and prison officials expect that number to increase to more than 10,000 by the end of 2022. Based on that projection, the state will need close to 2,400 more prison beds within the next four years. Prison officials are now looking at building a new prison and expanding several others at a cost of more than $500 million. Committee co-chair Sen. Patti Anne Lodge said the committee has a difficult problem to solve.
More From 95.7 KEZJ
![Why Idaho Should Adopt Inmate Child Program in Twin Falls](http://townsquare.media/site/94/files/2012/05/inmate-read.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Inmates And Unwanted Dogs South of Idaho Give Each Other Hope](http://townsquare.media/site/94/files/2022/01/attachment-john-tuesday-5q7G1zwQvtY-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Chubbuck Man Sentenced to Prison for Crimes Against Children](http://townsquare.media/site/95/files/2018/07/Prison1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Former Idaho Prison Guards Sentenced on Drug Trafficking Crimes](http://townsquare.media/site/95/files/2019/03/GettyImages-868384894.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Idaho Prison Guard Sentenced in FBI Sting](http://townsquare.media/site/95/files/2018/02/RS16472_518731880.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![More Idaho Inmates Moved to Texas Prison](http://townsquare.media/site/95/files/2018/09/RS783_97754677.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Authorities Search for Walkaway Prisoner Near Idaho Falls](http://townsquare.media/site/95/files/2018/07/Brunette_IDOC.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Idaho Corrections Sign Deal for Prison Facility in Texas](http://townsquare.media/site/95/files/2018/06/GettyImages-72281413.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![More Idaho Inmates Sent to Texas](http://townsquare.media/site/95/files/2018/06/RS12081_454203385.jpg?w=980&q=75)