It is increasingly being recognized that it is essential to know not only what is effective in reducing criminal behavior but also the relative costs and benefits of criminal justice interventions. While a number of studies now include such costs and benefits, the evidence is difficult to compare because of differing research designs and cost-benefit methodologies. This article systematically reviews the current evidence on the costs and benefits of different sentencing options. A cost-benefit validity scale is proposed as a mechanism to evaluate systematically the quality of costs and benefits data. A systematic review of the literature revealed only nine published studies that fit the criteria of the review. Many were of poor methodological quality, and the authors recommend the development of standardized methodologies for assessing the costs and benefits of criminal justice programs.

Group projects are recognised as effective means of engaging students with work-related skills and promoting cooperative learning. This paper reports findings of a small survey – a group project designed to reduce problems associated with the process of production of group goods and services: free-riding and monitoring participation level. The survey elicits information on students’ perception of the group project, random group membership and intra-group random selection of presenters of their group report. A compilation of summary statistics of the survey data shows that the design and evaluation of the project helped to reduce free-riding and incentivised students to monitor the group members’ level of commitment to the project as well as their understanding of the assignment.