The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with over 2 million people currently behind bars. Most of these inmates will eventually be released and return to society. However, the recidivism rate, or the rate at which released prisoners commit new crimes, is very high. Within 5 years of release, over 75% of ex-prisoners are rearrested, with over 55% re-incarcerated. This revolving door is costly to taxpayers and comes at a high societal cost.
Many experts argue that rehabilitation programs could help reduce recidivism by providing education, job training, counseling, and other services to inmates to help them successfully reintegrate into society upon release. However, such programs do require government funding and resources.
A key question is whether the costs of implementing effective rehabilitation programs is outweighed by the benefits in reduced future crime and incarceration costs. This article analyzes the costs and benefits of prison rehabilitation programs.
The Costs of Prison Rehabilitation Programs
Implementing educational, vocational, and counseling programs requires significant upfront investment. Key costs include:
Staffing and Administration
Rehabilitation programs need to be staffed by trained professionals like teachers, counselors, social workers, and vocational instructors. Their salaries and benefits are a major cost driver. Related administrative costs like program management and facilities expenses also add up.
Education and Vocational Programs
Academic and vocational education programs require classroom space, teaching supplies, textbooks, computers and software, workshop tools and materials, and other expenses. These programs are very resource-intensive compared to simply housing inmates.
Counseling and Therapy
Providing counseling, drug addiction treatment, anger management therapy, and other services requires hiring licensed therapists and counselors. The counselor-to-inmate ratio strongly influences effectiveness.
Job Training and Placement Services
Effective vocational training requires up-to-date equipment, materials, and instructors to teach usable skills. Partnerships with potential employers to provide apprenticeships and job placements upon release are also beneficial.
Infrastructure Costs
Program space, computer labs, classrooms, counseling centers, and workrooms need to be built and maintained. Expanding existing facilities or constructing new buildings represents a major capital expenditure.
Based on averages across state prison systems, implementing meaningful rehabilitation programs can cost between $2,000-$5,000 per inmate per year. With over 2 million inmates nationwide, the total annual cost for comprehensive rehabilitation programs could exceed $10 billion.
The Benefits of Reduced Recidivism
However, reducing recidivism rates through rehabilitation provides substantial benefits to society:
Lower Criminal Justice System Costs
Fewer repeat offenders reduces demands on police, courts, and the prison system. The average cost to incarcerate an inmate is around $30,000-$60,000 per year. Reducing sentences and prison populations provides big cost savings.
Increased Employment and Tax Revenues
Ex-convicts who gain education and skills are more likely to find employment after release. Each employed person contributes tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments. They also boost the GDP by being productive.
Lower Welfare and Social Services Costs
Ex-convicts who are unemployed after release often need to rely on government welfare, housing assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, and other social services. Successful rehabilitation reduces the need for this public aid.
Savings from Less Theft and Property Damage
Studies show over 80% of prisoners have substance abuse disorders. Providing treatment and counseling reduces the likelihood of repeat theft, robbery, and fraud to support recurring drug habits upon release.
Improved Public Safety and Health
Rehabilitated ex-convicts are less likely to commit new violent crimes or engage in drug trafficking that harms communities. Prisons that double as revolving doors decrease overall public safety and health.
Various studies estimate that for every dollar invested in rehabilitation programs, between $4-$20 in benefits is generated through lower recidivism. The large range depends on the types of programs offered and effectiveness in each prison system. On average, the overall savings and societal benefits likely offset the investment costs.
Case Studies on Rehabilitation Program Costs and Impacts
To better understand the costs and benefits, here are some examples of different rehabilitation programs that have been implemented and analyzed:
Case Study 1: Virginia Department of Corrections
- The Virginia DOC implemented comprehensive educational, vocational, and counseling programs across major prisons between 1995-1999.
- Average annual cost per inmate increased from $3,000 to $5,000.
- But the state’s recidivism rate dropped from 47% to 31% between 1995 and 1999.
- Savings associated with reduced re-incarceration costs were estimated between $7-15 million by 1999, surpassing the $5 million increase in rehabilitation programming costs.
Case Study 2: RAND Study of California Prison System
- The RAND institute assessed rehabilitation programs for drug offenders in California prisons in 2003.
- Average cost was $2,500 per inmate per year for required counseling and treatment.
- But estimated savings in reduced recidivism were between $4,000-$7,000 per inmate over 3 years after release.
- Benefit-cost ratio estimated between 1.5 to 1 and 7 to 1.
Case Study 3: Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP)
- PEP is a Texas program teaching business principles to inmates using mentors and developing business plans.
- Costs average $2,000 per inmate per year for materials, instructors, and post-release housing and job support.
- Recidivism rate of PEP graduates is under 7% vs 24% for other Texas parolees.
- Estimated tax revenue and employment gains provide 8-20X return on investment.
The evidence shows well-designed and managed rehabilitation programs can provide strong net economic benefits to society despite the large upfront costs. However, budgets are tight, and rehabilitative programming does require taking money from other priorities. Prison administrators need to be strategic in allocating scarce resources.
Key Factors for Cost-Effective Programs
Prison rehabilitation initiatives should be designed to maximize cost-effectiveness and return on investment:
- Focus programs on inmates at high-risk of reoffending but with high potential to reform. Target the “critical mass” through data analytics.
- Structure programs to build real-world skills tailored to demand in local labor markets. Combine vocational education with apprenticeships.
- Make completing programming a prerequisite for early release or parole. Incentivize participation tied to sentence reduction.
- Focus specifically on counseling and addiction treatment for drug-related offenses. Keep budgets tight on frills.
- Partner with local employers, trade schools, social service agencies, and non-profits to share costs and help with re-entry.
- Track detailed performance metrics on programming costs, participation, recidivism reduction among participants, and total societal cost savings.
With smart design and execution focused on the highest-potential inmates, prison rehabilitation programs can be judged based on their strong return on taxpayer dollars. However, political will and public support are also key to funding these initiatives.
Public Opinion on Rehabilitation Spending
While most criminologists agree rehabilitation programs in prisons are beneficial, the general public is split regarding spending on inmates:
- Reform advocates argue focusing on rehabilitation over punishment is more ethical, productive for society, and could save billions.
- But some “tough on crime” groups argue spending on inmates takes resources from other priorities like education and poverty reduction programs.
- Others question why prisoners should receive free vocational training and college courses when law-abiding citizens also struggle to access and afford these opportunities.
Elected officials have to balance these perspectives from voters and taxpayers. However, the taxtpayer benefits from reduced recidivism provides a persuasive logic for approving rehabilitation programs. With strong data on performance, it is possible to build public support for smart investments in prison rehabilitation initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions on Prison Rehabilitation Costs
Here are answers to some common questions about the costs and benefits of providing education, vocation, counseling, and other rehabilitation programs to prisoners:
How much does it cost to provide rehabilitation programs per inmate?
On average, comprehensive programs cost between $2,000 – $5,000 per inmate per year. The costs can vary greatly by the types of programs offered. Academic and vocational education is among the most expensive on a per inmate basis.
What are the largest drivers of costs for rehabilitation programs in prisons?
The biggest drivers are staff salaries (teachers, counselors, program managers), facilities costs, vocational equipment and supplies, and educational materials like textbooks. Also critical are costs of post-release job placement services.
How do rehabilitation programs in prisons generate taxpayer savings and benefits?
Avoided costs from lower recidivism rates (reduced future incarceration) provide the biggest savings. Rehabilitated ex-convicts also contribute increased tax revenue if employed, require less welfare and Medicaid, and commit less crime.
Do the benefits outweigh the costs for prison rehabilitation programs?
Research shows strong rehabilitation programs return between $4 to $20 in benefits per $1 invested. The ratio depends on the quality and types of programming. On average, the benefits seem to outweigh costs, sometimes by a large margin.
Why is it difficult to get funding for rehabilitation programs in some states?
There is disagreement among policymakers and taxpayers about the merits of spending money on prisoners versus other priorities. Some also question if ex-cons deserve free college courses. Solid data on positive returns can overcome some objections.
Conclusion
Providing education, vocational training, counseling, addiction treatment and other rehabilitation services to inmates requires significant taxpayer investment. However, research indicates well-designed programs can provide net economic benefits to society of 4 to 20 times their costs over the long run by reducing recidivism and its associated criminal justice costs.
Despite tight budgets, dedicating funds to high quality, cost-effective prison rehabilitation programs seems to represent smart policy in terms of payback for public safety and government budgets. With strong management and program evaluation to maximize return on investment, rehabilitation programs should be viewed as a strategic investment rather than just an expense.
Table of Notable Crimes and Convictions
This table provides examples of severe crimes committed by prisoners later enrolled in rehabilitation programs, along with details on their original conviction and sentence:
| Crime Convicted For | Original Sentence | Rehabilitation Program Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Robbery | 10 years in prison | Completed high school diploma, associate’s degree, and auto mechanic training during sentence |
| Drug Trafficking & Manslaughter | 15 years in prison | Completed substance abuse counseling, anger management therapy, HVAC technician training |
| Burglary & Assault | 5 years in prison | Participated in entrepreneurship program and startup business classes, launched landscaping company after release |
| Fraud & Money Laundering | 8 years in prison | Got bachelor’s degree and paralegal certification through prison college program |
| Armed Robbery | 12 years in prison | Took parenting classes and counseling, became forklift operator, married last year after release |
Sample Conviction Quotes
“Getting my high school diploma in prison was my wake up call. I realized I had wasted opportunities.” – Bank robber convicted in 2010
“The counseling programs saved my life. I was in a downward spiral before getting locked up.” – Drug trafficking convict since 2005
“My business classes taught me skills I never learned on the streets. Now I know there’s a better path.” – Ex-burglar who served 4 years
“I was book smart but made stupid choices. The education programs helped me mature.” – White collar criminal released in 2015
“Learning to be a better father was the most important class I took in prison.” – Former armed robber