In the Australian case of Cheyane Back, the 18 year old girl who recently was convicted to 3 months in jail for 1 tag, we found this interesting article from Professor Chris Cunneen, NewSouth Global Chair in Criminology in the Faculty of Law of the University of New South Wales, here.
“By going to jail, she will however have the opportunity to meet and talk with women who have been previously imprisoned and with women who have far more extensive offending histories than hers. She will learn quite a lot about crime and prison culture.
And what of the cost to us, the taxpayers? According to the Productivity Commission’s 2009 report, the cost per prisoner per day in New South Wales is $280.60. The cost to put Cheyane Back in jail for three months will be over $33,600. Frankly, I would have preferred to have seen her meet with the owner of the property she damaged and clean up her mess.”