NCJ Number
157082
Date Published
1995
Length
149 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the relationship between policy, workloads, and spending in the criminal justice system in Minnesota and used past trends to project future justice costs and workloads such as reported offenses, cases filed, and inmates.
Abstract
The analysis revealed that increased spending on the Minnesota justice system over the last decade has not reduced crime or fear of crime. Justice is an increasing fiscal problem for cities, counties, and the State, costing taxpayers more than $1 billion per year. From 1985 to 1992, total justice spending was among the fastest growing government services provided to citizens. Spending on corrections has resulted more from increases in prosecution and sentencing than by increases in reported crime and arrests. Moreover, police officers, the courts, and corrections officials cannot, by themselves, reduce crime significantly. Justice responsibilities are dispersed among many different city, county, and State agencies that police, adjudicate charges, and administer correctional programs. Furthermore, more than 9 of every 10 criminal offenders are on probation rather than incarcerated. Figures, tables, and appended summary of major Minnesota law changes from 1973 to 1994