Reducing Mass Incarceration Through Cost Salience: Why Juries Should Be Told the Cost of Incarceration

The practice in Missouri of informing judges incarceration costs resulted reductions to both mass and recidivism. States that allow jury sentencing are ideal for allowing jurors also consider costs. need such common-sense reform is timely. COVID-19 has drastically reduced state budgets there widespread agreement the criminal justice system over-punishes. This results rare, bipartisan support reform. Jury incarceration-cost salience a more palatable method among politicians who fear being labeled “soft on crime.” This Article presents findings first-of-its-kind study, which strongly juror salience. includes analysis arguments against practice. Such consideration clear preference It would save valuable resources could then be invested into productive programs, lead reduction crime rates due criminogenic effect incarceration, benefit not only incarcerated individuals but their families communities. These benefits, combined with promising this study near-perfect converging political interests favor prison reform, all point climate ripe social change.