The Cost of Crime in Europe and the United States: Towards a Quantitative Analysis

• In Event: International Perspectives on Criminal Justice Policies

Abstract

Our presentation analyzes the cost of the criminal justice systems in some European countries, especially Germany. A comparison with the United States shows profound differences in regard to expenditures in the different institutions. The presentation will focus particularly on the different approaches to drug related crimes and their costs in terms of incarceration, other forms of sanctions, treatment, recidivism rates and human costs. Particular attention is paid to variations according to subgroups in each country such as gender, race, ethnicity, and migration status. The overall question in this comparative study is: How can we respond more effectively and cheaper to criminal behavior?

Authors

• Annette Kuhlmann, University of Wisconsin - Baraboo

• Justus Enninga, Universität Erfurt, Germany

• Helmut Kury, University of Freiburg/Germany