NCJ Number
10329
Date Published
1970
Length
71 pages
Annotation
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF A MANPOWERTRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR OFFENDERS WITHOUT PREVIOUS ADULT CONVICTIONS.
Abstract
THE CROSSROADS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL JUDICIAL AND CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS FOR FIRST OFFENDERS. THROUGH INTENSIVE COUNSELING, JOB PLACEMENT, REMEDIAL EDUCATION, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES-OVER A THREE-MONTH PERIOD FOLLOWING ARREST BUT PRIOR TO TRIAL-THE PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO REORIENT THE INDIVIDUAL BEFORE HE IS COMMITTED TO CRIME AS A WAY OF LIFE. IF THE DEFENDANT HAS SHOWN SATISFACTORY PROGRESS AT THE END OF THE 90-DAY PERIOD, THE COURT WILL, UPON CROSSROADS' RECOMMENDATION, DISMISS THE CHARGES. THE ANALYSIS OF THIS PROGRAM BEGINS WITH A ESTIMATION OF THE ECONOMIC COST OF CRIMES AND OF THE SERVICES OF POLICE, COURTS, PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENTS. THESE ESTIMATES ARE THEN INTEGRATED INTO THE DISCUSSION OF THE BENEFITS FROM THE PROGRAM. THE BENEFITS FROM THE PROGRAM ARE DEFINED AS - (1) THE REDUCED RESOURCE COSTS FROM DIVERSION OF CASES FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, (2) THE INCREASED EARNINGS OR PRODUCTIVITY DUE TO THE JOB DEVELOPMENT AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM AND HIGHER EMPLOYMENT RATES OVER TIME DUE TO LOWER RECIDIVISM, AND (3) REDUCED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM COSTS DUE TO REDUCTION IN RECIDIVISM. COMPARISON OF THESE MEASURED SOCIAL BENEFITS WITH THE COSTS OF THE INVESTMENT SHOWS BENEFIT-COST RATIOS WHICH EXCEED UNITY AT DISCOUNT RATES OF 5 PERCENT, 10 PERCENT, AND 15 PERCENT. AS WELL AS AN EVALUATION OF PROJECT CROSSROADS, THIS STUDY DEFINES THE ECONOMIC CRITERIA NECESSARY FOR MAKING JUDGMENTS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO REHABILITATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENDER. NUMEROUS CHARTS AND TABLES ILLUSTRATE THE DETAILED DISCUSSION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)