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How to Calculate the Average Costs of Detaining a Youth

NCJ Number
243999
Date Published
May 2013
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This toolkit provides information for policymakers to use on calculating the average costs associated with housing a youth in detention.
Abstract
This toolkit was developed by the National Juvenile Justice Network to provide information for policymakers to use when calculating the average costs associated with housing a youth in detention. The toolkit provides readers with information on what components are typically included in a detention cost estimate, why one would or would not choose to include these elements, and what additional costs and revenues could be incorporated in the calculation of costs to detain youth. The toolkit has five main sections: About this Toolkit, How to Use this Toolkit, Basic How-To, How to Calculate the Average Costs of Detaining a Youth, and Frequently Asked Questions. Some of the frequently asked questions deal with how the information about detention costs can be used to advance reform, how to handle data that correspond to different years, and what other costs should be considered when thinking about the costs of youth detention. Tables