North Dakota Has More Behind Bars, Not a Big Drop in Crime

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A study indicates that putting more criminals behind bars has not led to a big drop in North Dakota's crime rate.

The study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that the state over the last 10 years has seen a 175 percent increase in the number of people being jailed, but only an 18 percent drop in the crime rate over that span.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the national study was released to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. It aimed to reduce crime in part by stiffening sentencing requirements for several categories of crime.

Pew project manager Adam Gelb says the study shows the belief that harsher sentences deter crime is a myth.