The opportunity cost of the upkeep of the criminal justice system in South Africa from 1980 to 2006

Pierre de Villiers () and Soon Nel

No 18/2009, Working Papers from Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics

Abstract: South African crime rates rose to unacceptably high levels between 1980 and 2006. As a result, vast amounts of funds were devoted to the upkeep of the criminal justice system – correctional services, justice and the police. Although it is necessary to spend a certain amount on the criminal justice system, in South Africa this expenditure was excessive by most measures. The excess funds that were spent on the upkeep of the criminal justice system could have covered the cost of financing the entire backlog in schooling facilities and a large part of the current housing shortage.

Keywords: crime; opportunity costs; criminal justice system; social services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D00 E62 H10 H40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr
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