Rural Justice Under the Microscope WSU Sociologists Investigate Surging Rural Incarceration Rates
A study led by Washington State University sociologists is shedding light on rising jail incarceration rates in rural Washington counties. The research explores how limited resources, policy shifts, and social dynamics contribute to the growing number of rural residents behind bars.
“There is an interaction between the absence of resources in an area and an individual person’s inability to navigate the different avenues of the criminal legal system. There are urban areas that have similar issues, but it’s just endemic to these rural areas with the lack of mental health support, or actual heath support, or anything needed to help individuals navigate the system and get back on their feet post-arrest.”—Jennifer Sherman, Washington State University
The study is part of a larger effort to understand how rural justice systems operate under strain and what reforms might help address the disparities. The research team hopes their work will inform policymakers and advocates working to improve rural legal systems.