For the first time in more than a decade, with the support of the governor, the Idaho Department of Correction is asking lawmakers for funding to build a new prison. On Tuesday, IDOC Director Josh Tewalt pitched his $333 million budget request to the Joint Finance Appropriation Committee, outlining some of the department’s greatest needs. Those requests included $112.4 million for a new 848-bed minimum custody women’s prison at the Idaho Department of Correction complex in Kuna.

Logan Finney and Ruth Brown discuss the IDOC budget request and the need for more prison bed space. Then, Rachel Cohen of Boise State Public Radio joins Ruth to discuss a recent report that revealed Idaho has the highest female incarceration rate in the country.

Read Ruth Brown's coverage on the blog: https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2022/01/18/idaho-department-of-correction-hopes-to-build-new-womens-prison/

Read Rachel Cohen's coverage at Boise State Public Radio: https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2022-01-13/idaho-has-the-highest-female-incarceration-rate-in-the-country

Learn more about ACEs, or adverse childhood experiences: https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/specials/resilience/