The Economic Impact of Incarceration: Measuring and Exploring Incarceration-Related Costs across the United States (original) (raw)

This study estimates and examines incarceration costs across the United States, expanding the definition of cost beyond state budgetary expenditures to include per inmate economic impacts. Using an econometric model applied to data from 33 states in the years 2002, 2007, and 2012, the analysis reveals that state median salaries, crime rates, and police employment increase total costs, while higher incarceration rates decrease them. Furthermore, factors such as income inequality and the political climates of states significantly influence these costs.