Costs and Benefits of Sanctions: A Synthesis of Recent Research

• NCJ Number: 138936
• Author(s): E W Zedlewski
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 24 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the National Conference on Prosecution Strategies Against Armed Criminals and Gang Violence: Federal, State, and Local Coordination, 1992, San Diego, California

Annotation

Despite the growth in both prison populations and alternative sanctions, key questions still asked of criminal justice policymakers focus on the necessity of additional prison cells and whether alternatives to prisons cost less and assure public safety.

Abstract

Between 1979 and 1990, prison populations grew from 314,000 to 771,000, an increase of 457,000 inmates. Probation populations also grew rapidly, from 1.1 to 2.7 million. Several research studies are cited that have contributed to understanding costs associated with sentencing policies. All of the studies focus exclusively on crime savings through incarceration and ignore the deterrent effects of sanctions. The number of crimes saved may be the most critical element in sentencing cost-benefit analysis. If the number of crimes saved is small, prison costs will exceed public savings. If the opposite is true, prisons will pay for themselves. In general, studies indicate that prison is not cost-effective for all offenders. Offenders should be sorted in appropriate risk categories and punished by imprisonment or alternative sanctions in an effort to minimize costs and assure public safety. Particular attention should be paid to career criminals, drug offenders, intensive supervision programs, boot camps, and electronic monitoring. 4 references, 18 footnotes, and 11 tables