In fiscal year 2021, *county* budgeted *jail_budget_2021_f* to detain people held by the *jail_name*. Total jail spending amounts to *jail_percap_2021* per county resident​ annually.

Since the 1970s, the rising cost of U.S. jails—largely comprised of the costs of jail employee salaries and benefits—has mirrored the increasing jail population. In recent years, however, jail populations in most large cities have begun to decline. Yet, local governments have not taken steps to disinvest from jails, generally because they have not made commensurate reductions in the number of jail employees.

In *county*, the jail budget has *increased_decreased_budget* *jail_budget_change_pct_abs* percent since fiscal year 2011. The jail population has *increased_decreased* *adp_change_pct_abs* percent during the same period.

Read more about Vera’s methodology.

Spending on the local jail overwhelmingly comes from the county or city general fund. The general fund relies on local taxes (generally property taxes) and can be used for any aspect of local government. This means that a dollar saved on the jail is a dollar that can be spent on the countless services and programs that communities rely on. These savings could be redirected toward other types of investments that better promote community safety, including alternatives to incarceration, affordable housing, and treatment for mental illness and substance use​.

Vera collected data from each county’s annual budget. The details of the jail budget are provided below.