Reducing agency and social costs by keeping kids in school and out of the justice system: A cost–benefit analysis of the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program

Abstract

Growing recognition of the school-to-prison pipeline and its associated detrimental effects has spurred efforts aimed at reducing the rate of school-based arrests across the United States. One such initiative, the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program, has demonstrated promising findings related to reduced numbers of school-based arrests and improved school outcomes among youth. However, without information about the financial costs and benefits associated with program operation, stakeholders may be hesitant to implement similar programming in other localities. Therefore, we conducted a cost–benefit analysis of the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program. Results indicated that this diversion program produced approximately $1.6 million in inflation-adjusted net benefit in its first year of operation and approximately $1.9 million in inflation-adjusted net benefit in its fifth year of operation. Findings may inform decisions about program replication in other jurisdictions where stakeholders seek alternative school policing strategies.

Long-term arrest and school outcomes of the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program.

“…The primary goal of the Philadelphia Police School Diversion Program was to reduce school-based arrests across the city, and the annual number of school-based arrests in Philadelphia decreased by 84% by the fifth year of program operation (Goldstein, Kreimer, et al, 2021). Additionally, a cost–benefit analysis indicated that the program has produced a considerable net financial benefit, including an annual taxpayer-supported cost savings of approximately $1.9 million in its fifth year of operation (NeMoyer et al, 2022). Regarding subsequent outcomes, diversion has been linked to a significant reduction in suspension outcomes over a 1-year follow-up period (Goldstein, NeMoyer, et al, 2021) and a significant, yet small, reduction in recidivism arrests over a 5-year follow-up period, but no significant school-related impacts over a 4-year follow-up period (the current study).…”