NCJ Number
206893
Journal
Criminology & Public Policy Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 453-480
Date Published
July 2004
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prison sitings in rural communities.
Abstract
This study is the first of its kind to use statistical controls to measure the effects of prison sitings on the host county. An interrupted time series design was utilized to measure the impact of prison siting on employment and income indicators in rural New York State from 1997 to 2000. The intent of the project was to test the hypothesis that the siting of a prison in a county would have future positive economic impact. In order to accept or reject the null hypothesis of no economic impact, economic impact factor data were collected over a 25-year period from New York State. If the siting of a prison is a sound economic investment for the host county, indicated by a rejection of the null hypothesis, then it should be expected to see a positively signed prison indicator variable in relation to the economic outcome variables. However, the results indicate there are no substantive or statistically significant impacts on host counties. The analysis of unemployment and per capita data over the last 25 years indicates that constructing and operating a prison in a rural county does not exert a significant positive influence on the host county. These findings seem counterintuitive, given the substantial number of employees required to build and staff a prison. Further analysis reveals that the dynamics of the labor market and other factors suggest an explanation of these results to be that correctional officers do not live in the host counties. This study is the first in an area of research that has been poorly neglected. Further research needs to be done to identify the processes and events that take place when a prison enters a county. Tables, figures, references