EXAMPLE OF HOW COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS CAN BE USED FOR MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION OF A COMMUNITY PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE CORRECTION

• NCJ Number: 54786
• Author(s): R F MINNEHAN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION, WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 22-24, 1977 PANEL 4 - COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR JUVENILES, FEBRUARY 22, 1977

Annotation

A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS PROCEDURE IS DESCRIBED FOR DETERMINING THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM FOR JUVENILES IN COMPARISON TO AN INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM.

Abstract

THE EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT EXAMINED PROVIDED A COMMUNITY RESIDENCE FOR JUVENILES WHICH ENABLED THEM TO CONTINUE WORKING OR HAVE ACCESS TO JOB COUNSELING WHICH LED TO SECURING A JOB WHILE IN THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM. ALSO, STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR SCHOOLING IN THE COMMUNITY. WITHOUT THIS COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM THE TYPES OF JUVENILES PARTICIPATING WOULD NORMALLY PARTICIPATE IN AN INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM WHICH EMPHASIZES THE DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC SKILLS THROUGH REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION. THE EVALUATION PROCEDURE PROPOSED COMPARES THE TWO PROGRAMS THROUGH COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS. THE COSTS MEASURED ARE THOSE NECESSARY FOR THE OPERTION OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM. THE BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM ARE THE COST SAVINGS FOR THE ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM RESULTING FROM REDUCTION IN CLIENT POPULATION BY THE NUMBER SERVED IN THE EXPERIMENTAL COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT AND PRODUCTIVITY BENEFIT MEASURED IN THE TWO PROGRAMS. AN APPLICATION OFTHIS COST-BENEFIT DIFFERENCES IN WAGES OR EARNINGS FOR BOYS IN THE TWO PROGRAMS. AN APPLICATION OF THIS COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS STRUCTURE TO THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM TO DETERMINE ITS FEASIBILITY PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION INDICATED THAT ITS SUCCESS, AS MEASURED BY THE COST-BENEFIT CRITERIA, WOULD DEPEND ON THE FULFILLMENT OF THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: (1) REALIZATION OF A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COST SAVINGS IN THE INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM, (2) COST CONTROL FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM, (3) CAREFUL SELECTION OF CLIENTS FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM, (4) AN ADEQUATE PACKAGE OF SERVICES FOR THE CLIENTS WHICH RESULTS IN A LOW RATE OF RETURNEES TO THE INSTITUTION, AND (5) PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES THAT LEAD TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EARNINGS PREDICTIONS. OUTCOME MEASURES FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM ARE THE SAME AS THOSE DEVELOPED IN THE COST-BENEFIT FEASIBILITY STUDY, USING DATA OBTAINED FROM PROGRAM RECORDS. OUTCOME MEASURE WOULD TEND TO INDICATE THE DEGREE TO WHICH PRIMARY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED IN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WERE ACCOMPLISHED. (RCB)