Economics of Early Intervention vs Later Incarceration (From Juvenile Rehabilitation Reader, P X.1-X.59, 1985, Peter W Greenwood, ed. - See NCJ-101426)

• NCJ Number: 101434
• Author(s): C P Rydell
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 59 pages
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis examines the cost effectiveness of two methods for reducing crime by focusing intervention efforts on high-rate offenders: selective incapacitation and early intervention (e.g., parent training, Headstart, and delinquency prevention programs).

Abstract

The analysis establishes the base case resulting from criminal justice policies, estimates the effectiveness and prison costs of selective incapacitation, and determines the outcomes and per-person costs of early intervention if it is to be as effective as selective incapacitation. The analysis finds that if the predictability of high-rate offenders is between one-third and one-half, then selective incapacitation reduces crime 4.8 to 6.6 percent. To achieve the same reduction, early intervention programs must reduce the offense rate of treated offenders by 37 to 42 percent. Early intervention programs can spend from $28,000 to $34,000 per person for total treatment and still cost no more than selective incapacitation. Thus, early intervention saves more money because fewer offenders are incapacitated and it decreases prison populations. In addition, early intervention reduces both juvenile and adult crime, while selective incapacitation reduces only adult crime. Tables and 16 references.