The author admits that he is making no effort to take account of anything other than the direct economic cost of crime. Even on that narrow basis, he finds that the excessive incarceration makes no sense. You might also note the publication source -- the Milken Institute Review -- although his work had earlier appeared in more academic outlets. If conventional economics takes us this far, then any consideration of class or social impact will go a lot further.
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
