NCJ Number
56113
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON THE NEED FOR COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS WHEN INVESTIGATING CRIME ISSUES, THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS REASONS FOR ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Abstract
IT IS CONTENDED THAT LEGISLATORS TEND TO PASS CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS WITHOUT CONSIDERING ECONOMICS. AN EXAMPLE GIVEN IS OPERATION INTERCEPT, A NIXON ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM TO REDUCE THE QUANTITY OF DRUGS (MAINLY MARIJUANA) SMUGGLED INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM MEXICO. THE PROGRAM, WHICH FAILED JUST 20 DAYS AFTER ITS INCEPTION IN 1969, RESULTED IN INCREASED USAGE OF MORE POTENT NARCOTICS DUE TO THE SCARCITY OF MARIJUANA. OPERATION INTERCEPT FAILED AT A COST, BOTH HUMAN AND MONETARY, FAR EXCEEDING ANY BENEFITS IT MAY HAVE PRODUCED. AS A RESULT, CONCERNED CITIZENS SHOULD CONSIDER NOT ONLY WHAT CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS WILL COST, BUT WHAT BENEFITS WILL ACCRUE AS A RESULT OF EXPENDITURES, AND HOW EFFECTIVE EACH PROGRAM CAN BE. IN ADDITION, LEGISLATORS SHOULD PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TASKS BEFORE APPROPRIATING FUNDS: (1) GATHER INFORMATION AND EVALUATE SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, (2) DETERMINE BOTH INITIAL COSTS OF THE PROGRAM AND TOTAL COST FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT, (3) DECIDE WHETHER ADDITIONAL MONIES EXIST FOR THE PERPETUATION OF A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM, (4) DETERMINE IF FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION, (5) DECIDE WHICH LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT WILL PAY FOR THE PROJECT AND WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY COSTS ARE, (6) EVALUATE STAFFING NEEDS, AND (7) DETERMINE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS. A COST AND BENEFIT CHART IS INCLUDED ALONG WITH REFERENCE NOTES. (WJR)