The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

Increases from places including Medina, Butler and Scioto counties are also one reason why white women make up 65 percent of the 3,658 population in the state's two women's prisons, according to consultant James Austin's report to prison officials. That statistic alone makes Ohio unique, since in most states black women are more often incarcerated.

In 10 years, the overall women's state prison population is expected to surge, going up 46 percent to 5,214 inmates, Austin estimated. He said the jump in men would be about 36 percent in the same time span.

He urged the state to help smaller counties that ship low-level offenders to prison, as smaller, cash-strapped counties lack options such as extensive drug and alcohol counseling.

But Lynn Grimshaw, who spent 28 years as Scioto County prosecutor, said the proliferation of drugs, not a lack of services, is fueling the increase.

"In my first five years in office, we sent two women to prison," he said. "Now, you see three or four a month go to prison from Scioto County. Drugs play a larger role, and women have made major strides in that area."

Women need programs more than men do, officials said. They have more mental health and drug abuse issues. In Ohio, nearly two in five female inmates have children. Austin also said women are less likely to get arrested again.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Joan Synenberg said: "It doesn't matter if it is a small town or a large one. If you don't get to the root of the problem, these people may keep coming back."

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