The cost and cost effectiveness of community penalties: principles, tools and examples

Why are economic evaluations needed in the criminal justice area, particularly in relation to community penalties? And how might they be conducted? These are principal questions addressed in this chapters, with illustrations drawn from recent research by the authors. Four principles and their associated tools are set out (and illustrated) for economic evaluations in this area: comprehensive measurement of costs; careful examination of the reasons for variations in costs; like-with-like comparisons between alternative policies or practices (such as sentences); and the integration of cost evidence with good outcome evidence. Examples covered are: bail information and accommodation; community and custodial sentences for young offenders; and reparation and mediation schemes.