The High Budgetary Cost of Incarceration

[Hannah Bell]

The United States currently incarcerates a higher share of its population than any other country in the world. We calculate that a reduction in incarceration rates just to the level we had in 1993 (which was already high by historical standards) would lower correctional expenditures by $16.9 billion per year, with the large majority of these savings accruing to financially squeezed state and local governments. As a group, state governments could save $7.6 billion, while local governments could save $7.2 billion.

These cost savings could be realized through a reduction by one-half in the incarceration rate of exclusively non-violent offenders, who now make up over 60 percent of the prison and jail population.

A review of the extensive research on incarceration and crime suggests that these savings could be achieved without any appreciable deterioration in public safety.


http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/the-high-budgetary-cost-of-incarceration/

[the other one]

1. Legalize it! K n R

[CrispyQ]

2. But how will the privatized penal system

siphon off local treasuries if we release the non-violent offenders? :eyes:

I knew our system was broken, but even I'm stunned that 60% of the prison population are non-violent offenders!

[killbotfactory]

3. Thank you drug war!

Money saved on incarceration means less money to police and the prison industry. Gotta keep those palms greased.

[mdmc]

4. ..