Benefit-Cost Analysis of Crime Prevention Programs

The number of high-quality benefit-cost analyses of crime prevention programs has grown from 12 to 23 since 2000, and numerous benefit-cost ratios have been calculated by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Benefits are often estimated conservatively, whereas costs are usually estimated in full. Benefits nonetheless exceed costs for most programs, especially for preschool and cognitive-behavioral programs, target hardening and improved lighting, Communities That Care programs, and Business Improvement Districts. However, benefits and costs are not estimated comparably in different studies; few analyses are strongly comparable. There is great need for the establishment and use of a standard list of benefits and costs. Better research designs are needed, especially including randomized controlled trials. It is more cost-beneficial to invest in prevention than in imprisonment. The time is ripe for major investment to improve the lives of disadvantaged children.