Evaluating Prison Policies: Analyzing Impacts on Populations and Costs

LEGL 370 Narrative Responses on Prison Overcrowding Should legislators have to conduct analyses of how prison populations might be affected with new laws or changes in punishment for certain offenses as well as what the estimated costs to taxpayers might be? Yes, legislators have a responsibility to conduct thorough analyses of how new laws or changes in sentencing policies might impact prison populations and the associated costs to taxpayers. Basically, the increasing prison admission leading to overcrowding in prisons are significantly triggered by the set crime control policies thus the need for reconsideration of such policies. In real sense, policy effectiveness is the key to a positive change towards the overcrowding state. Understanding the potential impact on prison populations will help legislators assess whether the proposed laws are likely to achieve their intended goals, such as reducing crime or deterring offenders. Through such consideration, the most viable policies will be implemented while doing away with those that are doin