This project examines the effectiveness and key performance indicators of state prisons across the country in order to establish how Arizona’s prisons compare. Variables such as the daily inmate cost, annual budget, and the percentage of the budget spent on healthcare are all examined for a measurable impact on recidivism rate, which is the rate at which individuals released from prison re-offend and return to prison. The findings and next steps for the correctional industry are slightly controversial but will prove effective in improving the industry.