Nearly 1.5 million Americans were incarcerated in state prisons in 2016. That same year, U.S. states spent about $58 billion to keep these people locked up.
How much each state spends on prisons goes far beyond a simple per prisoner calculation. In fact, there is little to no correlation between the states that spend the most per capita and the states with more prisoners per capita. Instead, variations in state spending boil down to a range of budgetary factors and policy decisions.
Prisons have many expenses related to their main function of confining lawbreakers. In addition to securing the prisoners with infrastructure, technology, and personnel, they have to provide inmates with basic necessities such as food, health care, and even entertainment. On a per capita basis, state prison spending ranges from less than $100 per person to nearly $500 per person. 24/7 Wall st. reviewed the states with the highest and lowest prison spending per person.
According to research conducted by the Vera Institute of Justice, an independent nonprofit national research and policy organization, one of the primary drivers of the differences in state prison spending per capita is salaries for prison personnel. The cost of hiring staff, according to the group’s 2015 report “The Price of Prisons,” accounts for 68% of total prison spending.
As a result, states where correctional workers have higher average salaries tend to spend more per capita, and the opposite is true among low spending states. Of the 20 states with the lowest per-capita spending, just four have an average correctional officer annual wage higher than the national average of $43,550.
To identify how much each state spends on corrections, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state prison spending from the National Association of State Budget Officers, as collected by The Sentencing Project, a nonprofit focusing on criminal justice reform. Average annual correctional officer salaries are from the Department of Labor. Incarceration rates and the share of prisoners in private prisons are from The Sentencing Project, and crime rates per 100,000 are from the FBI Unified Crime report. All figures listed are for 2016, with the exception of the private prisoner figure, which is for 2015.
Click here to see what it costs to run prisons in your state.
Source: snikeltrut / Getty Images
50. Illinois
> State correctional institution spending: $85.38 per capita ($1.1 billion)
> State prisoners: 341 per 100,000 residents (22nd lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $51,890 (8th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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Source: SayCheeeeeese / Wikimedia Commons
49. New Hampshire
> State correctional institution spending: $87.65 per capita ($117 million)
> State prisoners: 211 per 100,000 residents (7th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $40,130 (22nd highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: LPETTET / Getty Images
48. Nevada
> State correctional institution spending: $100.00 per capita ($294 million)
> State prisoners: 460 per 100,000 residents (12th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: N/A
> State prisoners in private prisons: N/A
Source: mikecogh / Flickr
47. Minnesota
> State correctional institution spending: $101.45 per capita ($560 million)
> State prisoners: 191 per 100,000 residents (3rd lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $45,120 (15th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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Source: andrewbain / Flickr
46. West Virginia
> State correctional institution spending: $109.77 per capita ($201 million)
> State prisoners: 392 per 100,000 residents (22nd highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $33,290 (17th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: Redheadedhornet / Getty Images
45. Missouri
> State correctional institution spending: $111.11 per capita ($677 million)
> State prisoners: 532 per 100,000 residents (8th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $29,300 (3rd lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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44. South Carolina
> State correctional institution spending: $119.13 per capita ($591 million)
> State prisoners: 408 per 100,000 residents (20th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $31,870 (8th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 0.1% (tied –25th lowest)
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43. Indiana
> State correctional institution spending: $120.01 per capita ($796 million)
> State prisoners: 384 per 100,000 residents (23rd highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $32,570 (12th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 15.4% (9th highest)
Source: rainchurch / Flickr
42. Mississippi
> State correctional institution spending: $120.45 per capita ($360 million)
> State prisoners: 624 per 100,000 residents (3rd highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $26,800 (2nd lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 20.9% (6th highest)
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Source: sshepard / Getty Images
41. Alabama
> State correctional institution spending: $122.76 per capita ($597 million)
> State prisoners: 571 per 100,000 residents (6th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $34,050 (20th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 1.3% (23rd highest)
Source: Rex_Wholster / Getty Images
40. South Dakota
> State correctional institution spending: $127.10 per capita ($110 million)
> State prisoners: 440 per 100,000 residents (15th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $33,420 (18th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 0.6% (25th highest)
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Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
39. Texas
> State correctional institution spending: $130.35 per capita ($3.6 billion)
> State prisoners: 563 per 100,000 residents (7th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $34,720 (23rd lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 8.7% (tied –17th highest)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
38. Kansas
> State correctional institution spending: $131.74 per capita ($383 million)
> State prisoners: 331 per 100,000 residents (19th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $32,620 (13th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: jonworth / Flickr
37. Florida
> State correctional institution spending: $131.96 per capita ($2.7 billion)
> State prisoners: 481 per 100,000 residents (11th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $41,090 (19th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 12.3% (13th highest)
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Source: AlexiusHoratius / Wikimedia Commons
36. Maine
> State correctional institution spending: $136.69 per capita ($182 million)
> State prisoners: 137 per 100,000 residents (the lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $33,700 (19th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: Joel Carillet / Getty Images
35. Tennessee
> State correctional institution spending: $137.12 per capita ($912 million)
> State prisoners: 422 per 100,000 residents (18th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $31,620 (7th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 18.4% (8th highest)
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Source: HakuNellies / Getty Images
34. Washington
> State correctional institution spending: $142.01 per capita ($1.0 billion)
> State prisoners: 259 per 100,000 residents (12th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $47,270 (12th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: jstephenconn / Flickr
33. Iowa
> State correctional institution spending: $142.92 per capita ($448 million)
> State prisoners: 286 per 100,000 residents (15th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $44,320 (16th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: raksybH / Getty Images
32. Oklahoma
> State correctional institution spending: $143.49 per capita ($563 million)
> State prisoners: 673 per 100,000 residents (2nd highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $32,670 (14th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 26.1% (3rd highest)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. Kentucky
> State correctional institution spending: $146.50 per capita ($650 million)
> State prisoners: 518 per 100,000 residents (9th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $30,160 (5th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: piccaya / Getty Images
30. Utah
> State correctional institution spending: $150.10 per capita ($458 million)
> State prisoners: 201 per 100,000 residents (6th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $39,430 (24th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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Source: Andrew Burton / Getty Images
29. North Dakota
> State correctional institution spending: $151.72 per capita ($115 million)
> State prisoners: 234 per 100,000 residents (9th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $34,530 (22nd lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 23.8% (4th highest)
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Source: THE ENIGMATIC TRAVELER / Flickr
28. Colorado
> State correctional institution spending: $156.84 per capita ($869 million)
> State prisoners: 356 per 100,000 residents (23rd lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $46,500 (13th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 19.8% (26th highest)
Source: Richmatts / Getty Images
27. New Mexico
> State correctional institution spending: $159.54 per capita ($332 million)
> State prisoners: 335 per 100,000 residents (20th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $31,940 (9th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 42.2% (the highest)
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Source: Erik S. Lesser / Getty Images
26. Georgia
> State correctional institution spending: $161.20 per capita ($1.7 billion)
> State prisoners: 512 per 100,000 residents (10th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $29,790 (4th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 15.2% (10th highest)
Source: John Moore / Getty Images
25. Arizona
> State correctional institution spending: $162.31 per capita ($1.1 billion)
> State prisoners: 585 per 100,000 residents (4th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $40,130 (22nd highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 15.1% (11th highest)
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Source: txking / iStock
24. Virginia
> State correctional institution spending: $162.39 per capita ($1.4 billion)
> State prisoners: 448 per 100,000 residents (14th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $39,320 (25th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 4.1% (20th highest)
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images
23. New York
> State correctional institution spending: $162.47 per capita ($3.2 billion)
> State prisoners: 256 per 100,000 residents (11th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $61,140 (3rd highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: MivPiv / Getty Images
22. Idaho
> State correctional institution spending: $166.36 per capita ($280 million)
> State prisoners: 435 per 100,000 residents (16th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $32,530 (11th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 6.8% (19th highest)
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Source: Mike Simons / Getty Images
21. Ohio
> State correctional institution spending: $169.36 per capita ($2.0 billion)
> State prisoners: 449 per 100,000 residents (13th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $41,030 (20th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 11.6% (14th highest)
Source: Gordon Incorporated / Wikimedia Commons
20. Arkansas
> State correctional institution spending: $172.68 per capita ($516 million)
> State prisoners: 583 per 100,000 residents (5th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $31,610 (6th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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Source: Tomwsulcer / Wikimedia Commons
19. New Jersey
> State correctional institution spending: $174.63 per capita ($1.6 billion)
> State prisoners: 221 per 100,000 residents (8th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $69,310 (the highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 14% (12th highest)
Source: editor / Flickr
18. Louisiana
> State correctional institution spending: $175.15 per capita ($820 million)
> State prisoners: 760 per 100,000 residents (the highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $33,120 (15th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 8.7% (tied –17th highest)
Source: Federal Bureau of Prisons / Wikimedia Commons
17. Hawaii
> State correctional institution spending: $178.50 per capita ($255 million)
> State prisoners: 254 per 100,000 residents (10th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $48,160 (11th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 22.8% (5th highest)
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Source: usepagov / Flickr
16. Nebraska
> State correctional institution spending: $178.80 per capita ($341 million)
> State prisoners: 274 per 100,000 residents (13th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $34,890 (24th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: michael_richardson / Flickr
15. North Carolina
> State correctional institution spending: $200.16 per capita ($2.0 billion)
> State prisoners: 339 per 100,000 residents (21st lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $32,150 (10th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 0.1% (tied –25th lowest)
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Source: John Moore / Getty Images
14. Connecticut
> State correctional institution spending: $204.39 per capita ($731 million)
> State prisoners: 290 per 100,000 residents (16th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $51,250 (9th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 3.3% (21st highest)
Source: spinthelights / Flickr
13. Montana
> State correctional institution spending: $205.27 per capita ($214 million)
> State prisoners: 364 per 100,000 residents (24th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $33,190 (16th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 40.4% (2nd highest)
Source: John Mottern / Getty Images
12. Massachusetts
> State correctional institution spending: $205.38 per capita ($1.4 billion)
> State prisoners: 156 per 100,000 residents (2nd lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $60,700 (4th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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Source: natalietracy / Flickr
11. Pennsylvania
> State correctional institution spending: $207.36 per capita ($2.7 billion)
> State prisoners: 383 per 100,000 residents (24th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $46,400 (14th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 1.2% (24th highest)
Source: chumlee / Flickr
10. Wisconsin
> State correctional institution spending: $211.29 per capita ($1.2 billion)
> State prisoners: 383 per 100,000 residents (24th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $43,030 (18th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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Source: Andrew Burton / Getty Images
9. Rhode Island
> State correctional institution spending: $212.04 per capita ($224 million)
> State prisoners: 192 per 100,000 residents (4th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $58,690 (5th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
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Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images
8. Michigan
> State correctional institution spending: $218.37 per capita ($2.2 billion)
> State prisoners: 414 per 100,000 residents (19th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $48,880 (10th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: Stuart and Jen Robertson / Wikimedia Commons
7. Wyoming
> State correctional institution spending: $239.11 per capita ($140 million)
> State prisoners: 406 per 100,000 residents (21st highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $40,900 (21st highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 11% (16th highest)
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Source: Michael Letour / Wikimedia Commons
6. Vermont
> State correctional institution spending: $240.16 per capita ($150 million)
> State prisoners: 197 per 100,000 residents (5th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $37,140 (25th lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: N/A
Source: M.O. Stevens / Wikimedia Commons
5. Oregon
> State correctional institution spending: $248.93 per capita ($1.0 billion)
> State prisoners: 367 per 100,000 residents (25th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $51,950 (7th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: N/A
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Source: Forsaken Fotos / Wikimedia Commons
4. Maryland
> State correctional institution spending: $260.95 per capita ($1.6 billion)
> State prisoners: 329 per 100,000 residents (17th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $43,470 (17th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 0.1% (tied –25th lowest)
Source: trconrad2001 / Flickr
3. Delaware
> State correctional institution spending: $314.05 per capita ($299 million)
> State prisoners: 428 per 100,000 residents (17th highest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $34,490 (21st lowest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: none
Source: Tim Gray / Getty Images
2. California
> State correctional institution spending: $323.49 per capita ($12.7 billion)
> State prisoners: 331 per 100,000 residents (19th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $66,930 (2nd highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 1.7% (22nd highest)
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Source: 39955793@N07 / Flickr
1. Alaska
> State correctional institution spending: $491.98 per capita ($365 million)
> State prisoners: 281 per 100,000 residents (14th lowest)
> Average correctional officer salary: $57,640 (6th highest)
> State prisoners in private prisons: 11.1% (15th highest)
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