Study: Oklahoma prison population declining

(Oklahoma City -AP) -- Oklahoma's prison population is declining, but the state still has one of the highest rates of incarceration. <br><br>A US Department of Justice report says the state is one

Wednesday, July 31st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City -AP) -- Oklahoma's prison population is declining, but the state still has one of the highest rates of incarceration.

A US Department of Justice report says the state is one of a handful of states that reported a decline in inmate population.

The number of sentenced prisoners in Oklahoma dropped from 23,181 in 2000 to 22,780 in 2001.

While the number of people in jail is decreasing, Oklahoma still puts more of its population in jail compared to other states. The report says Oklahoma has 658 people in jail per 100,000 people.

Only Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi put more people in jail.

The report also says Oklahoma has the highest rate of incarceration for females and the eighth-largest prisoner population.