NCJ Number
74164
Date Published
1980
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The application of 12 economic principles is suggested to determine the best use of scarce resources for juvenile service improvements in rural areas. A framework for planning actions and weighing alternatives related to rural justice is introduced.
Abstract
The economic concepts to be applied to specific rural justice issues or program include that 'diminishing added returns,' which helps decide when added inputs will do little to further advance performance (e.g., how many group homes are needed before a point of saturation is reached). The concept of 'opportunity cost' points to the need, when investing time and funds in one undertaking, to consider what is being neglected by not using resources in other ways (e.g., tying up local funds in law enforcement equipment may mean fewer funds are available for human series personnel training). Another concept, that of 'complementary relationships,' indicates that there may be ways to combine or coordinate several undertakings. For instance, cooperation between counselors in the juvenile court system and local school personnel will enhance the effectiveness of both efforts. The cohesive framework needed to make key policy decisions should involve four steps. First, the problem needs to be defined and the reasons why it persists should be diagnosed. Then the viable alternatives should be identified and weighed against each other. Underlying these steps is the need to take into account the 'task environment' which includes geographical, cultural, technological, and political elements. Three endnotes are provided.