Why rehab pays off – crime costs the world billions
The bill in Hong Kong alone was estimated at HK$67 billion last year, so it’s little wonder that governments are keen to find ways to stop people reoffending
When City University made public last week a study on the cost of crime in Hong Kong, it was believed to be the first of its kind in Asia. But many places outside Asia have already been totting up their numbers.
The study covered legal procedures, rehabilitation and crime prevention measures, but did not include the Correctional Services Department’s custodial or publicity work, or the stigma, trauma or grief suffered by the direct and indirect victims of crime.
Chui said the study was very difficult to do in Hong Kong as there was a lack of up-to-date social and victimisation data, and professionals weren’t able to give an estimate on the psychological cost of crime. To address that, he wanted more data in Hong Kong to be made publically available, which he said would help the city’s leaders put in place more evidence-based policies.
“With these sort of studies we want to give a different sort of perspective – how the criminal justice expenditure is justified,” he said.
