In the latest issue of The Wilson Quarterly, there’s a “Crime and Punishment” section featuring Philip J. Cook and Jens Ludwig‘s “Economist’s Guide to Crime-Busting” (gated), which considers the most “cost-effective way to control crime.” And Alex Tabarrok of Marginal Revolution writes on one of his favorite topics: bounty hunting. “Bail might be a rich man’s privilege were it not for the bail bondsman … In return for a non-refundable fee, usually around 10 percent of the bond, a bondsman will put up his own money with the court,” writes Tabarrok. “A typical bond might run $6,000. If the defendant shows up, the bondsman earns $600. But if the defendant flees, the bondsman potentially can forfeit $6,000. Potentially, because when a fugitive fails to appear, the court gives the bondsman a notice that essentially says, ‘Bring your charge to justice soon or your money is mine.’” [%comments]
Crime in The Wilson Quarterly
TAGS: Alex Tabarrok, crime
and 
. You can also watch it on 
There is crime. But far more common is non-criminal personal dysfunctions which include low energy, low ambition, underachievement, self destructive behaviors like addiction, poor relationships, depression, alcoholism, domestic abuse, aggression and overall meanness. All of us suffer from it, or suffer because someone we love suffers from it and we are thus afflicted.
The later is not dealt with by the Criminal Justice System but is far more common and destructive to society. We call it DYSFUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORS.
I propose a solution that will cost LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR PER CAPITA: PUT PROZAC IN THE WATER SUPPLY.
It will shrink criminal behaviors, dysfunctional behaviors, and afflictions and addictions. It would save BILLIONS in the Criminal Justice System. Lead to more productive fulfilled citizens who are happier. Less alcohol and drug addictions. Less DUI and trauma.
Otherwise continue having Paranoid Schizophrenics on Mayhem Shooting Sprees.
For cost-effectiveness, I’m always struck by the description of the gulag in Dr Zhivago. The prisoners are simply marched up to a post in the snow with a sign attached to it. Their first task is to build the prison in which they are to live.
“Bail might be a rich man’s privilege were it not for the bail bondsman…”
On the contrary, the existence of bail bondsmen has eroded the 8th Amendment’s prohibition against excessive bail, since – knowing the accused can resort to a bondsmen – the bail amount is typically set to ten times the reasonable amount. The fee paid to the bondsman thus becomes a punishment which is exacted simply for being accused of a crime.
A cynic like me can’t help but wonder how often judges & prosecutors are secretly in collusion with bondsmen, to their mutual profit.
I’m interested in the further content of the article, a shame it’s behind a pay wall
perhaps a full review with analysis is in order
Couple things left out.
The bondsman typically earns the 10% premium (i.e. the $600 in the example). But he typically also requires security for the entire $6000 — property, a lien on a house, or whatever — because he’s on the hook for the whole $6000 if the defendant can’t be found. The advantage to posting bail with the court yourself is that you get it all back at the end of the case — i.e., you don’t pay the bondsman’s premium.
So why use a bondsman? Courts may require posting of real property in lieu of cash. The bondsman may be more flexible as to what security is acceptable. The bondsman may offer better terms because he can rely on the intimidation factor (“if you run, I’ll find you, and it won’t be pretty”). The bondsman may also be less nosy about where the money or property posted as security came from — an important consideration for some defendants.
Typical, at least in the federal system, is the “10% cash alternative.” That is attractive to the defendant who plans to show up because — unlike the bondsman’s 10% premium — it is refundable.
commercial bail exists for one reason – the politicians (sheriffs and judges) don’t want to be the ones responsible, the ones to blame, for taking grandma’s house when junior skips town. so they moved away from property bonds and now only allow cash bond or commercial bond.
@- Drill-Baby-Drill drill Team
Either you are either a brilliant, imaginative satirist in the tradition of Jonathan Swift, or you are a raving lunatic. Sometimes I think it the former, other times the latter.
it’s not a new idea, anyone heard of soma? How about prozac in the water supply of only the miscreants and leave the rest of us alone. Last thing the world needs is ridiculously smily happy people who have no idea why they’re smily and happy.