COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION

• NCJ Number: 32327
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 45-50
• Author(s): C W NELSON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS CAN FACILITATE THE COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS ON A COMMON BASIS, PROVIDED THAT STANDARDIZED DEFINITIONS OF ECONOMIC GAINS AND LOSSES ARE ADOPTED BY PROGRAM EVALUATORS.

Abstract

A GOVERNMENTAL, SOCIETAL, OR INDIVIDUAL BUDGET CONCEPT SHOULD FIRST HELP TO ESTABLISH AN UNAMBIGUOUS POINT OF VIEW FOR THE ANALYSIS. RELEVANT COSTS AND BENEFITS ARE THEN GROUPED AS EITHER DIRECTLY, INDIRECTLY, OR UNMEASURABLY AFFECTING THESE BUDGETS. TWO BRIEF ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL OF SUCH ANALYSIS ARE PRESENTED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)