Changes to Sentencing Laws in GOP States Since 2007
Prison populations are beginning to fall as states look to save money
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With states struggling to rein in spending, Republican-led legislatures that once pushed harsh penalties for drug offenders now find themselves struggling to reduce corrections costs. In fact, after climbing steadily, prison populations finally leveled off a few years ago and have begun to decline. Here’s how several states have reduced or plan to reduce their prison populations.