This study estimates and examines incarceration costs across the United States. It expands the definition of cost beyond state budgetary expenditures by aggregating various per inmate economic impacts that result from incarceration and crime. The study builds an econometric model to analyze an original dataset from 33 states in years 2002, 2007, and 2012. The results show state median salaries, crime rates, and police employment all positively impact total cost, while incarceration rates have a negative impact. Income inequality and the political climates of states may also affect cost.
