Authorities say a 40 percent jump in paroles has led to a drop of about five percent in the Iowa prison population.
The population had dropped to just under 8,300 by Wednesday. The figure was a little over 8,300 at the end of fiscal 2012, compared with nearly 8,800 at the end of fiscal 2011.
The drop came despite an increase in admissions. Nearly 2,100 inmates were added in fiscal 2012, compared with nearly 1,950 in fiscal 2011.
Iowa Corrections Department spokeswoman Lettie Prell and other officials credit the increase in paroles to vacancies filled on the parole board and a more "holistic approach" in assessing candidates. The factors include the actual crime, time served and the risk that he or she will commit another crime.
