The Annie E. Casey Foundation The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Consider the Alternatives

planning and implementing detention alternatives

Posted May 2, 1999
By the Annie E. Casey Foundation
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Summary

This report — the fourth installment in a series devoted to revolutionizing detention programs and practices in America — tells how sites have cut costs and eased overcrowding concerns by developing new alternatives to detention. Their success stories carve a clear path for jurisdictions interested in planning, implementing and monitoring similar reforms.

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations

Key Takeaway

Detention alternatives can cost lest than secure detention.

Secure detention is costly — with an average price tag topping $200 per bed per day. By comparison, some of the detention alternatives developed by JDAI sites cost as little as $6 per day. These figures alone should motivate officials (and taxpayers!) to favor securely detaining only the most serious offenders while investing in alternate options for the rest.