The Idaho Department of Correction is requesting $45.3 million from the state legislature to equip and staff three new correctional facilities, addressing a severe overcrowding crisis that has forced women inmates into county jails and men’s prison wings.
Why It Matters
Idaho currently incarcerates women at the highest rate in the nation, according to U.S. Department of Justice data. The state’s prison system is operating well beyond its designed capacity, creating logistical challenges that impact daily operations and inmate management. With total prison capacity sitting at just over 8,200 beds for a population of approximately 10,000 inmates, the shortage is acute.
The overcrowding has resulted in women being housed in facilities originally designed for men. At the South Idaho Correctional Institution in Kuna, nearly 400 women and 300 men are incarcerated in a facility built exclusively for male prisoners. This arrangement forces female inmates to walk through the men’s side of the prison to access essential services like dental appointments.
What Happened
IDOC Director Bree Derrick stated that without opening the new facilities, nearly $200 million in prior legislative investments would remain empty and unused. The department submitted its budget request to the Division of Financial Management earlier this month. Governor Brad Little is scheduled to unveil his state budget proposal in January, setting the stage for appropriations decisions during the 2027 legislative session.
The requested funds are necessary because while lawmakers have approved construction costs, they have not yet authorized money for furnishing, equipping, or staffing the buildings. The new facilities will add nearly 1,000 beds to the state prison system, significantly alleviating the current bed shortage.
By The Numbers
- $45.3 million: The amount IDOC is requesting for one-time and ongoing expenses for three new facilities.
- 1,000 beds: The approximate number of new prison spaces the three facilities will provide.
- 200 beds: The current shortfall in housing capacity specifically for women inmates.
- 152 per 100,000: The incarceration rate for women in Idaho in 2023, compared to 28 per 100,000 in Utah.
Zoom Out
The funding request follows previous legislative actions aimed at expanding correctional infrastructure. In 2022, lawmakers approved $112.4 million for a new women’s prison via House Bill 791 and $37.6 million for medical annex improvements at the Idaho State Correctional Institution in Kuna. In 2024, the Legislature appropriated $10 million for a new facility in Orofino through HB 768.
The disparity in incarceration rates between Idaho and neighboring states is stark. On a recent Monday, Idaho held nearly 1,400 women in state prisons, while Utah incarcerated about 400. Approximately 80% of women incarcerated in Idaho are serving time for drug or other non-violent convictions. State law mandates felony sentences for possession of controlled substances, including mandatory minimums for trafficking charges involving one pound or more of marijuana.
In contrast, first-time offenses of possession of a controlled substance are typically misdemeanors in Utah. This legal distinction contributes to longer sentences for women inmates in Idaho compared to those in other states. The current housing conditions at South Idaho Correctional Institution reflect the strain on resources; women live in open areas with bunk beds placed close together and have limited access to classroom and work-training spaces.
What’s Next
Warden Jennifer Tyvand indicated that a new women’s facility, slated to open in December 2027, will resolve many of the current housing challenges. The new facility will include 560 beds. IDOC plans to request $20.5 million in ongoing expenses for this specific facility and $12.4 million in one-time costs for furniture, technology, appliances, clothing, and other operational items.
Until the new facilities are operational, the department must continue managing overcrowding within existing infrastructure. Correctional staff have previously shut down much of the men’s side at South Idaho Correctional Institution to allow women safe access to appointments. The state remains short about 200 beds for women inmates, a gap that has led to some female prisoners being sent to county jails due to lack of space in state facilities.
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