Costs and Benefits of Reentry Courts

• In Event: Do Reentry Courts Work? Findings from NIJ’s Multi-State Research on Reentry Courts

Abstract

This paper examines the cost and benefits of the seven NESCAARC sites. First, the paper identifies costs incurred by processing offenders through the reentry court program. Next, the paper identifies future cost savings accrued through any positive outcomes experienced by reentry court participants as compared to standard parolees—for instance, reduced need for services, treatment, and/or decreases in future criminal justice involvement including new case processing and incarceration. The overall cost-benefit of the reentry court programs is then calculated as the benefits/cost ratio for each site.

Authors

• Shannon Carey, NPC Research

• Mark Waller, NPC Research

• Adrian Johnson, NPC Research

• Charlene Zil, NPC Research

• Anna M. Malsch, NPC Research

• Michael Rempel, Center for Court Innovation

• Christine Lindquist, RTI International