Incarceration is a powerful tool for reducing crime rates by incapacitating criminals and disrupting criminal networks (Logan et al.). However, it comes with costs: Incarceration reduces social cohesion among families and communities and increases the risk of re-offending following release from prison (Logan et al.). Moreover, prison violence is a major source of inmate injuries leading to costly medical care (Zimring et al.). The average annual cost of incarcerating an offender is $31,286 per inmate; this includes expenses incurred through direct incarceration costs through federal grants ($21,000 per inmate), state grants ($8,000 per inmate), community supervision ($3,500 per inmate) and other expenses related to housing inmates including food services ($1,200 per inmate) (U.S. Department of Justice). By reducing violence in correctional facilities, we can reduce these costs while improving public safety.

Risk assessment tools have been used in other domains to identify those individuals who are at high risk for future crimes or other adverse outcomes (Albonetti). These tools have been found useful because they allow practitioners to predict which individuals are most likely to engage in future misconduct or otherwise violate laws or social norms (Albonetti). For example, if a police officer stops a driver for speeding and suspects that he may be driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), he could use a risk assessment tool to determine how likely it is that the driver will be arrested for DUI if he lets him go without performing a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test on him. This information can then be used by the officer when deciding whether or not to perform these tests on the driver (Albonetti). Risk assessment tools allow officers to utilize their time more efficiently by targeting high-risk individuals rather than wasting time on low-risk individuals. Using these tools can also help ensure that limited resources are used on those who pose greatest threat to public safety while focusing little resources on those who pose little threat (Albonetti). Incarceration also reduces social cohesion among families and communities and increases the risk of re-offending following release from prison (Logan et al.). Moreover, prison violence is a major source of inmate injuries leading to costly medical care (Zimring et al.). The average annual cost of incarcerating an offender is $31,286 per inmate; this includes expenses incurred through direct incarceration costs through federal grants ($21,000 per inmate), state grants ($8,000 per inmate), community supervision ($3,500 per inmate) and other expenses related to housing inmates including food services ($1,200 per inmate) (U.S. Department of Justice). By reducing violence in correctional facilities, we can reduce these costs while improving public safety.