How much tax money goes to prisons?

Approximately 5 percent of state budgets, which are funded through taxpayers, go towards prisons and corrections programs. On the flip side, approximately 25 percent is used to fund K to 12 education.

Each year, about $50 billion goes towards the costs for prisons and corrections programs, which also includes juvenile justice programs and parole activities. There has been more money spent within the prison system in recent years at the state level, but even so, it remains a small portion of the total state budget. Transportation budgets, which is used to repair bridges and build roads, are approximately the same as that of prisons and corrections programs.