Prisons on the rise

Minnesota's total prison population now is 9,520, triple that of 1990. From 1987 to 2005, the Legislature created 86 "sentencing enhancements," meaning that lawmakers lengthened penalties or imposed mandatory sentences that in turn increased the state's prison population.

Stillwater, 1,457 (inmates)

Faribault, 1,400

Lino Lakes, 1,320

St. Cloud, 1,010

Rush City, 989

(Projections are determined July 1 of each year to reflect current laws and sentencing practices.)

2010 - 8,965

2011 - 9,214

2012 - 9,497

2013 - 9,776

2014 - 10,065

2016 - 10,684

2017 - 10,980