Question 1

What are opportunity costs of prison expenditures?

Accepted Answer

Spending on building prisons and money spent on various services for prisons may alleviate immediate problems, but they do not address the underlying issues that lead to crime. Channeling resources to rehabilitation may prevent future crimes and lead to an overall reduction in spending on the criminal justice system. The money given to inmates upon release is not directly related to prison expenditures but rather a part of the reintegration process.

Question 2

Applying diminishing returns to corrections suggests that the more

Accepted Answer

Diminishing returns means that as you increase the input of one factor, the output will eventually decrease. In the case of corrections, as the level of incarceration increases, there will be less and less benefit gained from it. This is because there is a point at which incarceration becomes less effective at reducing crime and can even contribute to recidivism. Therefore, the more incarceration is increased, the less benefit it will have.

Question 3

One criticism of any economic analysis of crime and punishment is the difficulty of accurately evaluating all of the costs and benefits. Which of the following is an example of an indirect cost?

Accepted Answer

The victim's pain and suffering and lost productivity are considered indirect costs because they are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms and are not directly related to tangible economic costs.

Question 4

What was the average cost of holding an inmate in a federal prison for a year, in 2015?

Accepted Answer

The average cost of holding an inmate in a federal prison for a year, in 2015, was $31,977.

Question 5

Which special needs populations in prison are very costly to house?

Accepted Answer

Female prisoners with children and elderly inmates often require more medical care and specialized housing, making them more costly to house in prison. Transgender offenders, illegal aliens, and female juveniles may also require special accommodations, but they do not typically have the same level of medical needs as the other groups mentioned.

Question 6

Why should we release elderly inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes if suitable community alternatives exist?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why should we release elderly inmates convicted...

Question 7

The concept of the justice reinvestment refers to investing money on programs proven to reduce the recidivism of offenders who pose the highest risk of recidivism. Its other component is to provide them

Accepted Answer

The concept of justice reinvestment aims to reduce recidivism rates of offenders through evidence-based practices. Providing effective supervision to high-risk offenders is a crucial component of this approach, as it helps to ensure that they receive the necessary support and guidance to reduce their risk of reoffending. While spending money, shelter, and healthcare are important, effective supervision is the most critical component of justice reinvestment.

Question 8

Maintaining family relationships can be very beneficial for the inmate because it

Accepted Answer

Maintaining family relationships can reduce prison misconduct and recidivism once the inmate is free. Research has shown that inmates with supportive family relationships are less likely to engage in misconduct while incarcerated and more likely to successfully reintegrate into society upon release. Therefore, maintaining family relationships is beneficial for both the inmate and society as a whole.

Question 9

The key features of effective correctional rehabilitation models are

Accepted Answer

Effective correctional rehabilitation models should identify and focus on the specific needs and risks of individual offenders (risk and needs), as well as adapt interventions to the learning style, motivation, and personality traits of the offender (responsivity). The evaluation is important to assess the progress and the effectiveness of the intervention, but it is not a fundamental feature of the model. Similarly, treatment is part of the correctional rehabilitation process, but it is implied in the risk and needs concept. Therefore, the best choice is A.

Question 10

What is the rate of U.S. recidivism?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the rate of U.S. recidivism?
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Question 11

Despite the budget crisis that started in 2008, the support for mass imprisonment remains as strong as ever.

Accepted Answer

There has been a growing movement in recent years to reform the criminal justice system and reduce mass incarceration, with many people recognizing the high costs and negative impacts of this approach. While there are still those who support mass imprisonment, the overall trend has been towards seeking alternatives and reducing the number of people in prison.

Question 12

Mass incarceration policies have serious negative consequences on individuals, families, and communities.

Accepted Answer

Mass incarceration policies often lead to the separation of families, loss of employment, and a perpetuation of cycles of poverty and crime. They also disproportionately affect marginalized communities and contribute to a larger system of social inequality.

Question 13

It is not very difficult to accurately predict the likelihood of recidivism for different types of prisoners.

Accepted Answer

While there are tools and assessments used to predict recidivism, it is still a complex issue with many factors involved. It is not always possible to accurately predict the likelihood of recidivism for all types of prisoners.

Question 14

Researchers sometimes use the same data and reach different conclusions.

Accepted Answer

This is true because different researchers may use different methodologies or interpret the data differently, leading to varying conclusions.

Question 15

It costs as much to incarcerate an inmate as it does to enroll a student in a private college.

Accepted Answer

According to a report by the Vera Institute of Justice, the average cost of housing a state prisoner is $31,286 annually, while the average cost of tuition and fees at a private college is $34,740.

Question 16

Each taxpayer contributed about $1551 per year to keep jail inmates and offenders imprisoned.

Accepted Answer

The exact amount each taxpayer contributes to keep jail inmates and offenders imprisoned varies significantly depending on the jurisdiction, the year in question, and the specific calculations used. The figure of $1551 does not universally apply and can fluctuate based on numerous factors, including the cost of incarceration, the number of taxpayers, and the overall budget allocated to the correctional system.

Question 17

The more barriers we construct to community reintegration, the more likely the individual will return to jail or prison.

Accepted Answer

When individuals are released from jail or prison, their successful reintegration back into the community is crucial for reducing recidivism rates. If there are barriers in place such as limited job opportunities, lack of affordable housing, restrictions on voting or access to social services, it can make it more difficult for individuals to successfully reintegrate into society. This can lead to frustration and desperation, making it more likely for them to return to criminal activity and end up back in jail or prison. Therefore, the more barriers we construct to community reintegration, the more likely the individual will return to jail or prison.

Question 18

Parental incarceration is associated with a higher likelihood of mental health and behavioral problems in children.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that children of incarcerated parents are more likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems such as aggression and disobedience. This is often due to the trauma and stress of separation from a parent, as well as the social and economic challenges that come with having an incarcerated parent.

Question 19

Spending on rehabilitation represents half of the overall correctional budgets.

Accepted Answer

Rehabilitation programs often constitute a smaller portion of overall correctional budgets, with a significant portion allocated to operational costs such as staffing, security, and facility maintenance.

Question 20

Private facilities reduce costs by making prisoners work on production lines.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Private facilities reduce costs by making prisoners...

Quiz 12: Putting the Brakes on Correctional Populations