How much does prison really cost?

The Australian Institute of Criminology have published a research report titled "How much does prison really cost? Comparing the costs of imprisonment with community corrections."  The report attempts to assess the direct and indirect costs and savings associated with incarcerating a person, including costs to the individual, family and broader community. The research was undertaken in two stages - the first stage estimating the costs and savings accrued during sentences that began in 2009-10, while the second stage considered the wider costs and savings of this period and up to five years after.

Download "How much does prison cost? Comparing the costs of imprisonment with community corrections." (945KB PDF)