Pruning Prisons: How Cutting Corrections Can Save Money and Protect Public Policy
Publication year:
2009
| Cataloged on:
Jun. 11, 2009
ANNOTATION: Ways to “save money and improve public safety by making incremental changes today which use existing, evidence-based strategies to reduce correctional populations and spending” are explained (p.1). Topics discussed following a summary include: the U.S. spends billions of dollars on incarceration every year; incarceration does not necessarily benefit public safety; policies continue to fuel increasing incarceration rates; increasing the availability of parole could save government agencies millions of dollars; improving parole services and supports could save states millions of dollars; six states that are increasing the likelihood that individuals on probation or parole will stay out of prison; substance abuse treatment in the community costs far less than that in prison; community-based programs are cost effective and improve public safety; incarcerating people with mental illness is expensive and ineffective; money spent on incarceration could be reinvested in other social institutions; and recommendations.
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