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Cost-Benefit Analysis of Dispositions in the Juvenile Justice System, Final Progress Report

NCJ Number
195085
Author(s)
Simon M. Fass Ph.D.; Chung-Ron Pi Ph.D.
Date Published
2002
Length
69 pages
Annotation
This article discusses how cost-benefit analysis can help local decision makers weigh the benefits of alternative juvenile dispositions as to their effectiveness in reducing re-offenses and re-dispositions against the higher justice system costs in Dallas, Texas.
Abstract
This research report found that a cost benefit analysis comparing the effectiveness of alternative juvenile dispositions with their cost to the higher criminal justice system in terms of number of re-offenses and re-dispositions is difficult to do. The necessary procedures, such as isolating effects and calculating monetary values for costs and benefits are addressed clearly, discussing data, methods, assumptions, and results. Topics covered are: juvenile dispositions used in Dallas County; a description of the data used to estimate differences in number of re-offenses and re-dispositions stemming from shifting juveniles from one disposition to another; methods of estimating these differences and the results; estimates of unit costs and benefits related to initial dispositions, re-dispositions and related activities; estimates of victim and other non-system unit costs and benefits associated with re-offenses; and the study's findings. In the appendices contained at the end of the report, a list of references can be found, details of methods of valuing human life, and a technical note describing procedures used to estimate juvenile justice system costs. Tables