We are learning what is important about making the difference. Unfortunately, many of the programs and efforts called prevention are not using these approaches and methods. In a national survey of schools, less than one half of the programs called violence prevention used methods that have proven effectiveness and in many instances, even when effective approaches were used, they were not being applied correctly. This affect requires a combination of school and family programming. This program also led to improved academic performance.
Prevention is more effective and less costly than punishment and incarceration.
Scientifically sound comparisons, although few, show that prevention reduces future crime more, cost less to deliver, provides more cost savings over time, and has broad health and social benefits. In regard to cost benefits, I provide the committee with reports from two cost-benefit analyses. The first is from a careful analysis from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy. The one approach found to be more costly is a combination of two separate programs, each of which has been effective on its own. When the costs basis is from their original forms, each is also more cost effective.