The Costs and Benefits of Sentencing: A Systematic Review

Cynthia McDougall, Mark Cohen, Raymond Swaray and Amanda Perry
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Cynthia McDougall: Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology, University of York, United Kingdom
Raymond Swaray: Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology, University of York, United Kingdom
Amanda Perry: Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology, University of York, United Kingdom

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 2003, vol. 587, issue 1, 160-177

Abstract: It is increasingly being recognized that it is essential to know not only what is effective in reducing criminal behavior but also the relative costs and benefits of criminal justice interventions. While a number of studies now include such costs and benefits, the evidence is difficult to compare because of differing research designs and cost-benefit methodologies. This article systematically reviews the current evidence on the costs and benefits of different sentencing options. A cost-benefit validity scale is proposed as a mechanism to evaluate systematically the quality of costs and benefits data. A systematic review of the literature revealed only nine published studies that fit the criteria of the review. Many were of poor methodological quality, and the authors recommend the development of standardized methodologies for assessing the costs and benefits of criminal justice programs.

Keywords: costs-benefits; sentencing; crime; review; effectiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:anname:v:587:y:2003:i:1:p:160-177

DOI: 10.1177/0002716202250807

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