Why do residential community corrections facilities (RCCFs) cost less than jail or prison?

The choice that residential community corrections facilities (RCCFs) cost less than jail or prison due to offenders subsidizing part of the cost highlights a significant aspect of how these facilities are structured financially. In RCCFs, offenders often pay fees or contribute to their own costs through work programs or other forms of compensation. This can reduce the financial burden on the facility and the state, allowing RCCFs to operate at a lower overall cost compared to traditional jails and prisons, where the government typically bears the entire cost of housing inmates.

Moreover, RCCFs operate with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into the community, which can lead to cost savings in the long run. Programs and services that assist offenders in finding jobs or developing skills can further diminish reliance on state funds.

In contrast, the other options suggest alternative reasons that do not sufficiently account for the primary financial structure of RCCFs. For example, community service workers conducting construction may reduce initial building costs, but it does not affect the ongoing operational expenses like staff salaries and facility maintenance, which are larger cost factors in jails and prisons. Grants from the National Institute of Justice may provide some funding, but they do not constitute a sufficient or consistent revenue stream to explain the overall cost reduction. Lastly, while