NCJ Number
48017
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1977) Pages: 180-195
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED STANDARDS OF THE CORRECTIONS TASK FORCE OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS FOR PAROLE PROCEDURES AND INSTITUTIONAL WORK ARE ANALYZED
Abstract
WHILE THE TASK FORCE PROPOSALS MIGHT BE EXPENSIVE TO IMPLEMENT, INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS GENERATE A COST-SAVINGS IN OTHER ACTIVITIES OR AREAS THAT PARTIALLY OR EVEN COMPLETELY OFFSET THE INITIAL BUDGETARY IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAROLE PROGRAMS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDE INTENSIVE SUPERVISION, FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND JOB PLACEMENT FOR PAROLEES, AND AN EXPANSION OF PAROLEE RIGHTS IN GRANT AND REVOCATION HEARINGS. STANDARDS IN EACH OF THESE MATTERS COULD ADD AS MUCH AS $700 PER CASE TO CURRENT PAROLE COSTS. HOWEVER, ALL THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE PAROLE SUCCESS AND TO REDUCE INSTITUTIONAL POPULATIONS. THE AVERAGE COST PER INMATE IN MAJOR INSTITUTIONS IS APPROXIMATELY $5,000. SOME OF THE PROPOSALS CAN BE EXPECTED TO REDUCE INSTITUTIONAL POPULATIONS SUFFICIENTLY TO OFFSET THE ADDITIONAL COSTS OF THE PAROLE SERVICES OR PROCEDURES, WHILE OTHERS MAY IMPOSE NET BUT SMALL BUDGETARY COSTS ON THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. SIMILARLY, THE PROPOSALS FOR PRISON WORK EXPERIENCES AND WAGES IMPLY FUNDAMENTAL AND LARGELY OFFSETING CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE AND COST OF INSTITUTIONAL WORK PROGRAMS. IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSALS FOR PRISON INDUSTRIES WOULD IMPOSE ENORMOUS COSTS ON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS BUT WOULD ALSO GENERATE ENORMOUS INCREASES IN THE AMOUNT OF GOODS AND SERVICES PRODUCED. THESE GOODS COULD BE SOLD ONLY IF PRISON INDUSTRIES ARE ABLE TO PENETRATE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE MARKETS WHICH HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO THEM BY LAW OR TRADITION. ALTERNATIVELY, PRISON SYSTEMS COULD PERMIT PRIVATE EMPLOYEES TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE PLANTS IN INSTITUTIONS AS IS BEING DONE IN MINNESOTA. EITHER COURSE WOULD PROBABLY RESULT IN DOLLAR GAINS TO THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM WHICH WOULD EXCEED COSTS. THE PROPOSAL THAT PREVAILING WAGES BE PAID FOR ALL INSTITUTIONAL WORK, WHILE PROBABLY PERMITTING A GAIN IN INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT, WOULD BE OFFSET BY THE DRAIN ON THE BUDGET RESULTING FROM THE PAYMENT OF MINIMUM WAGES TO MAINTENANCE WORKERS. ON BALANCE, THE NET COST OF IMPLEMENTING STANDARDS DEALING WITH INSTITUTIONAL WORK AND PAY IS LIKELY TO BE VERY NEAR ZERO. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED-JAP)