This exploratory study seeks to shed light on the complexities surrounding the determinants of state corrections expenditures. Employing a framework composed of external environmental characteristics and internal institutional characteristics, the investigation focuses on the absolute and relative influence of six groups of variables on per capita spending by the 48 contiguous states in 1984. Generally, the findings indicate that variables associated with a state's external environment offer the best predictors of corrections expenditures. Significant internal variables are limited both in number and in importance. Implications and suggestions for future research in this area are discussed in the conclusion.
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