Cost Benefit Analysis of Multiple Intervention Programs

• In Event: Reentry Programs: Strategies, Challenges, & Effectiveness

Abstract

A variety of institutional programs are administered to offenders in the State of Washington, and many evidence-based programs are identified as effective in lowering post-release recidivism. However, the majority of studies only focus on cost-benefit of particular programs, and the joint effects when multiple programs are administered to the offenders remain an open question unanswered. In this study, we attempt to quantify the cost-benefit of joint implementation of institutional programs, and to identify the combination of programs that deliver the highest benefit given taxpayer money spent on those programs. For example, Correctional Education, Vocational Education in Prison, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy each register a benefit-cost ratio of 9.67, 11.89 and 6.32 respectively (Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 2017). Hence, we expect that joint implementation of educational programs would deliver a benefit-cost ratio at 10, and similarly, in the range of 6 to 10 for joint implementation of education and attitude-behavioral programs. In this regard, we consider our research findings to enable criminologists, correctional officers, policymakers, and the correctional community as a whole to adopt a new conceptual framework in program evaluation as to optimize the allocation of public resources in helping offenders efficaciously and combating recidivism cost-effectively.

Authors

• Kuan-Ju Chen, Washington State University

• Ming-Li Hsieh, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

• Pak-Sing Choi, Washington State University

• Zachary Hamilton, Washington State University