Idaho Builds New Women’s Prison | Boise News

Idaho’s prison system is in crisis—nearly 400 women are crammed into a men’s facility, forcing chaotic workarounds like shutting down wings for dental visits. To fix it, officials plan three new facilities: a dedicated women’s prison ready by December 2027, a unit for aging inmates, and a low-custody center for reentry. With $45 million requested from lawmakers to outfit these sites, the state risks wasting $200 million in construction costs if funding stalls—and could keep relying on costly county jails or out-of-state beds. Idaho leads the nation in female incarceration, with 80% of those behind bars serving non-violent drug-related sentences, prompting urgent questions about why. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/09/16/idahos-prisons-are-full-corrections-agency-will-request-45-3-million-to-open-3-new-facilities/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/58ce948024d3531d Report issues to [email protected].