| Session Title: Crime and Justice TIG Business Meeting and Presentation: What We Know About the Impact of Incarceration on Crime - Myths, Realities and Policy Implications |
| Business Meeting Session 428 to be held in Wekiwa 3 on Thursday, Nov 12, 6:10 PM to 7:00 PM |
| Sponsored by the Crime and Justice TIG |
| TIG Leader(s): |
| Roger Przybylski, RKC Group, rogerkp@comcast.net |
| Presenter(s): |
| Roger Przybylski, RKC Group, rogerkp@comcast.net |
| Abstract: During the past 25 years, virtually every state in the nation has implemented policies that have resulted in more people going to prison for longer periods of time. As a result, state prison populations and their associated costs have grown to an unprecedented level. In this time of scarce resources, there are inevitable concerns about the rising costs of corrections and its impact on other state-funded responsibilities. While public safety is undeniably one of the most important functions government provides, many policy makers are asking whether there are innovative and cost-effective ways to curb correctional costs without compromising public safety. Indeed, many states have already taken steps to lessen sentences and otherwise modify sentencing and corrections policy as a way to curb correctional costs. Yet, sentencing and correctional reform remains a hot-button issue in many jurisdictions. While reform advocates typically argue that we can be smarter and more efficient in our expenditure of public safety dollars, others are skeptical. Get tough policies are largely responsible for the drop in crime most jurisdictions have experienced, so the argument goes, and any significant let up in the use or threat of incarceration will only lead to a reduction in public safety. So what does the scientific evidence tell us about the impact of incarceration on crime? And what does it tell us about the impact of criminal sanctions on desistance? Answering these questions is the purpose of this presentation. A significant amount of research concerning incarceration and crime has been undertaken in recent years, and despite a disparate array of findings, much can be learned from this body of research to inform policy debates. |