Wis prison population declines for second year

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin's prison population has declined for the second year in a row.

The Department of Corrections says the average daily population dropped by about 3,150 prisoners in 2010 to 20,015 inmates. Corrections officials credit the reduction to an initiative that prepares prisoners for re-entering society. It's aimed at reducing the number of offenders who return to prison, either for violating terms of their release or for committing new crimes.

Gov. Jim Doyle's early release program is credited with reducing the prison population by about 390 inmates since it began in October 2009.

The State Journal says between 1990 and 2008, the state's prison population nearly quadrupled, rising from about 6,500 to approximately 23,300.