The Economic Case For and Against Prison

The Monument Trust, the LankellyChase Foundation, and the Bromley Trust
commissioned Matrix Knowledge Group to undertake research to inform the
debate on sentencing options in the UK. The aim of the research was to
collect evidence to outline the economic arguments for and against prison
interventions and their alternatives, thereby answering the question:
Are prison sentences really a cost-beneficial way of reducing
offending behaviour in those populations who are at risk of further
offending?

• The published report has been updated to include new findings based
  on the inclusion of new research studies and analysis. The second
  edition can be downloaded here.
• The original research findings are available to read in the first edition
  of the published report.
• The technical appendix for the report are available here and you can
  download the original technical appendix here
• The press release is available here
• The NOMS (National Offender Management Service)
  February 2008 bulletin Academy for Justice Commissioning wrote an
  article on the report

If you have any questions about this research, please get in contact with
Maxine Rossbotham on +44 (0)20 7614 0529 or maxine.rossbotham@matrixknowledge.com.