From 1970 to 2017, the U.S. saw a 277 percent increase in jail beds—from 243 thousand to over 915 thousand. A report from the Vera Institute of Justice asks why America continues to build more jails and explores alternatives. Many counties argue for building more jails in response to overcrowding. More effective solutions, says grantee Vera, address the causes of overcrowding, like creating community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment, changing bail policies, and investing in jail alternatives for civil violations.
