ABSTRACT
This chapter brings together the main conclusions on the economic costs and benefits of crime prevention and identifies gaps in knowledge and priorities for research and policy development. It discusses the key issues that need to be addressed in working toward a standard manual for carrying out benefit-cost analyses of crime prevention programs. The chapter presents evidence of the economic efficiency of different programs to prevent delinquency and crime, ranging from early childhood to correctional rehabilitation programs. It discusses the general trend toward and importance of countries reorienting their national crime prevention (and criminal justice) policies around an evidence- and efficiency-based model, aiming to put in place programs with demonstrated effectiveness and economic efficiency. Concerted efforts to improve confidence in what works and saves money will go a long way toward creating a more effective and efficient program of preventing crime and promoting safer communities throughout the world.
