It hasn't been since 1972 that the nation has seen such a decline in prison inmates. The same is true for the Lone Star State.
The most recent numbers show more than 1.4 million inmates are currently incarcerated, but about .4% from last year are no longer in prison.
Texas' numbers are down by nearly 3,000 inmates and officials stress it has nothing to do with over population.
Michelle Lyons with the Director of Public information with the TDCJ, says "I would stress we're not releasing anyone as a result of a population problem...it's a credit to the programs we've been abel to expand upon that have had a positive impact on our population."
The prison report released by the Pew Center on the states showed 27 states reduced their prison population over the last year.
