Mainstreaming Methodology for Estimating Costs of Crime
Substantial costs are incurred in responding to crime. The costs to the Criminal Justice System of detecting crime and bringing offenders to justice are significant for many offence types particularly for offence types with the most serious consequences for victims.
Most, but not all, CJS costs are borne by taxpayers, so data can generally be found in government budgets. Some of the costs of responding to crime, however, are met by offenders and their families.
This section identifies the principal categories of costs in response to crime:
CJS COSTS
Police looks at the prospects for allocating police time (and thus costs) by offence type.
Prisons looks at the cost of imprisonment for an offence type
Enforcement of financial pennalties looks at the costs incurred by the agency responsible for collecting fines, fixed penalties and any other financial orders
Defence Costs looks at the costs of providing legal services to defendants. These costs may be split between public budgets (funding services for defendants with limited means) and defendants responsible for funding themselves.
Prosecution looks at the costs of bringing proceedings against an offender. Where, as in many countries, there is an independent prosecution service this task is comparatively straightforward providing that the agency reports clearly on its activities.
Courts looks at the costs of providing facilities for the hearing of cases, including the provision of judges and court staff.
Jury Service looks at measuring the opportunity cost of the time jury members tie up in a case. Even where these costs are reimbursed through the courts the payment may under-represent the value of lost production.
COSTS TO OFFENDERS
Loss of Liberty to the Offender looks at the controversial argument that adjustments should be made for the utility loss incurred by offenders as a result of imprisonment.
Lost Productivity looks at the output lost as a consequence of having offenders imprisoned. Although some may work while in prison the value of the output will typically be lower than what they would have produced outside.
Victimisation of Offenders while in Prison looks at the estimation of losses experienced by offenders while in prison as a result of the higher rates of death and injury than apply outside.
Victim and Witness Costs looks at the potentially significant costs that may confront victims and witnesses in relation to court hearings. Things like the postponement of hearings and intimidation prior to hearings may raise these costs. Lengthy trials, likewise, may be a source of significant costs for victims and witnesses.
Offender's Family Costs looks at the estimation of losses to the offender's family from criminal sanctions. Heavy fines may reduce the income to be shared by other members of a household. Having a head of household away may reduce family cohesion as well as resulting in significant visiting costs.
COSTS TO VICTIMS AND WITNESSESS
Victim Compensation looks at the costs of administering systems of compensation for criminal injuries. Payments made to victims are excluded from the calculation since they are simply a reflection of victim losses that have already been measured as part of the costs as a consequence of crime.
OVER DETTERENCE AND jUSTICE COSTS
'Over-deterrence' looks at losses resulting from behaviour changes on the part of citizens seeking to protect themselves from being (wrongly) accused of an offence
Justice Costs looks at the possibility that costs will be incurred by non-offenders taking costly steps to avoid liability to prosecution if sanctions are disproportionately high.
