MacArthur grants aimed at reducing numbers in prisons

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is giving twenty prisons of all sizes $150,000 each to come up with ways to minimize the number of people unnecessarily behind bars. The nation’s biggest jails in Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago will be receiving planning grants. Smaller systems in Boise, Idaho, and Mesa County, Colorado are also going to participate in the project. MacArthur President Julia Stasch stated that the funds come from $75 million the Chicago-based charitable group has donated to give away over a five year period to bring more fairness to the criminal justice system. About twelve million people annually pass through approximately 3,000 jails throughout the nation. A large majority are the mentally ill, nonviolent offenders and people who cannot afford to pay bail.