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Justice Policy Institute Releases Report on Cost of Youth Incarceration

December 22, 2014

Sticker Shock logoThe Justice Policy Institute has released “Sticker Shock: Calculating the Full Price Tag for Youth Incarceration.” The authors of this report estimate that the long-term costs to taxpayers for incarcerating juvenile offenders in the United States are $8 to $21 billion annually. Long-term costs include the effects of recidivism, fewer future earnings and tax revenues due to lost education opportunities, additional public assistance spending, and higher victimization rates. The report’s recommendations to policymakers for reducing incarceration include shifting funding to community-based alternatives and larger investments in diversion and prevention programs.

Resources:

View and download the full report.

Learn more about the OJJDP-sponsored National Center for Youth in Custody.

Learn more about alternatives to incarceration.