Determining the state with the lowest amount of prisons depends on various factors, including the size of the state, its population, and its criminal justice policies. Smaller states with lower populations are likely to have fewer prisons compared to larger states with higher populations.

One example of a state with relatively fewer prisons is Vermont. Vermont has a smaller population compared to many other states in the United States, and its criminal justice system emphasizes alternatives to incarceration, such as rehabilitation programs, community supervision, and diversionary measures.

The number of prisons alone may not provide a complete picture of a state’s criminal justice system or its approach to addressing crime and incarceration. Other factors, such as the size and capacity of individual prisons, the utilization of alternative sentencing options, and rates of incarceration, also play a significant role in understanding the criminal justice landscape of a state.