The Comparative Costs and Benefits of Programs To Reduce Crime. Version 4.0

This report describes the economics of programs working to reduce crime in Washington State. For a variety of approaches, from prevention programs designed for young children to correctional interventions for juvenile and adult offenders, it systematically analyzes North American research studies from the past 25 years. For this review, the research literature is divided into four broad topic areas: early childhood programs, middle childhood and adolescent (non-juvenile offender) programs, and adult offender programs. It determines whether program benefits, as measured by the value to taxpayers and crime victims from a program's expected effect on crime, are likely to outweigh costs. This procedure allows direct comparisons of the economics of different types of programs designed for widely varying age groups. Overall, research on what works and what does not has been developed, and, after considering the comparative economics of these options, this information can help improve public resource allocation. These estimates can aid decision makers in directing scarce public resources toward economically successful programs and away from unsuccessful ones, thereby producing net overall gains to taxpayers. This report highlights the Washington State Institute for Public Policy's cost-benefit findings as of May 2001, concluding that: some good and some bad investment options exist, programs that can achieve even relatively small reductions in crime can be cost-beneficial, programs should be evaluated, and a portfolio approach is recommended. (SM)