Does Size Influence Jail Efficiency? An Analysis of Local Jails in the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines the efficiency of local jails in the United States in 2016 using Data Envelopment Analysis with metafrontiers. Metafrontiers envelop jails that have a similar production technology and yield more accurate efficiency estimates. Using an input-oriented model with variable returns to scale, the results suggest that, on average, jails could reduce or reallocate their inputs by 37% given their output level. For managers, the findings provide evidence that jail managers can improve efficiency by carefully assessing how they allocate and use their resources. For policy makers, the results indicate that opportunities exist for implementing cost-saving approaches to maximize taxpayer dollars.