Minnesota’s Surface Numbers on Women in Prison Don’t Tell Whole Story

(Adobe Stock via Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection) – When diving into prison population data, men are often the focus but researchers are gathering information on troubling statistics for women, with Minnesota cited in a new report.

The Prison Policy Initiative said around the world, the number of imprisoned women has grown by almost 60% since 2000, with the U.S. factoring heavily. Minnesota is below the national rate and most other states but it still outpaces most of America’s closest international allies.

Wanda Bertram, communications strategist for the initiative, said for gender differences, men are still incarcerated at higher rates but recent declines show promise. She noted it is a different situation for women right now.

“The criminalization of essentially addiction, of mental illness and of poverty has driven women’s incarceration in a way that is distinct from what has happened for men,” Bertram explained.