Summary
America's prisons have fewer inmates because crime rates and birth rates are going down. This trend has been discussed by experts, including a professor from Stanford.
Key Facts
- Crime rates in the U.S. are decreasing, which is leading to fewer people being sent to prison.
- Birth rates in the U.S. are also falling, meaning fewer young people are entering the age range where they might commit crimes.
- Fewer people in prison could change how the prison system operates.
- NPR's Ailsa Chang talked to Keith Humphreys, a Stanford professor, about why fewer people are in prison.
- The discussion took place on an NPR program called "All Things Considered."
