Wisconsin has a lot more people behind bars than our neighbors to the west, even though the populations of both states are similar.
A new study by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance shows about 23,000 people are behind bars in the Badger State, compared to about 9,000 in Minnesota.
Alliance President Todd Berry says that cost the state about $1.1 billion for corrections in 2008, compared to $460 million in Minnesota.
However, Berry says the overall number of people in the corrections system is actually higher to the west of us. He says that’s because more people are on probation or parole in Minnesota, rather than being locked up.
AUDIO: WISTAX President Todd Berry (:22)