Research
The opportunity cost of the upkeep of the criminal justice system in South Africa from 1980 to 2006
Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP18/2009Publication date: 2009
Author(s):
[protected email address] (Department of Accountancy, University of Stellenbosch)
South African crime rates rose to unacceptably high levels between 1980 and 2006. As a result, vast amounts of funds were devoted to the upkeep of the criminal justice system – correctional services, justice and the police. Although it is necessary to spend a certain amount on the criminal justice system, in South Africa this expenditure was excessive by most measures. The excess funds that were spent on the upkeep of the criminal justice system could have covered the cost of financing the entire backlog in schooling facilities and a large part of the current housing shortage.
JEL Classification:D00, E62, H10, H40
Keywords:crime, opportunity costs, criminal justice system, social services
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