Reducing Crime and Criminal Justice Costs: Washington State's Evolving Research Approach

Abstract

A series of public policy reforms put into place since the mid-1990s has helped move Washington state toward an “evidence-based” juvenile justice system. The central concept behind these reforms is to identify and implement strategies shown through rigorous research to reduce crime cost-effectively. Using a benefit-cost model developed by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, this article describes the conceptual methods behind the Institute's approach to demonstrating cost-effectiveness of programs that reduce crime within the policy context of Washington's juvenile justice system. Evidence-based reforms have been a gradual, intentional process, requiring the continued efforts of statewide stakeholders.