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Cost-Benefit Methodology

NCJ Number
242430
Author(s)
Michael Wilson
Date Published
July 2011
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This report from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission presents information on the cost-benefit model used by the State's criminal justice system.
Abstract
In 2006, the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission initiated the development of a statewide cost-benefit model for use by the State's criminal justice system. The primary aim of the model is to provide information for interested stakeholders on the costs and effectiveness of programs aimed at reducing future crime in the State. This report presents the methodology of the cost-benefit model developed for use by the State in order to determine the effectiveness of crime reduction programs. The report discusses the need for determining the effect size of crime reduction programs, and the need for determining cost estimates for programs. Additional costs that need to be included in a cost-benefit analysis costs of crime, cost of an arrest, cost of a conviction, cost of incarceration, cost of local jail, and victimization costs. Once these costs have been determined, the next step in a cost-benefit analysis is to determine how much of these costs have been incurred in order to avoid the expected crime. Once the costs of crime reduction programs have been established, the next step is to calculate the benefits to tax payers and victims that may result from implementation of the programs. 5 tables