Scott summarizes and responds to reader comments on his prison effectiveness analysis, covering topics like criminal psychology, policing, El Salvador's crime reduction, probation issues, and proposed alternatives to imprisonment. Longer summary

This post summarizes and responds to reader comments on Scott's previous analysis of prison effectiveness, covering several key areas. Commenters discuss criminal psychology and the role of time discounting, policing practices and staffing challenges, the timeline of El Salvador's crime reduction, issues with probation as an alternative to prison, and various proposed solutions. Scott particularly engages with comments about whether his analysis missed important factors like in-prison crime and eugenic effects, and reflects on the moral philosophy of punishing criminals. Shorter summary

Scott analyzes research on whether longer prison sentences reduce crime, examining studies on deterrence, incapacitation, and aftereffects, to conclude that while prison does decrease crime through incapacitation, it's less cost-effective than other methods like policing. Longer summary

This post examines the relationship between prison sentences and crime reduction through three mechanisms: deterrence (scaring potential criminals), incapacitation (preventing prisoners from committing crimes), and aftereffects (post-release behavior changes). Through analysis of multiple studies and reviews, Scott finds that deterrence effects are minimal, incapacitation has strong positive effects (preventing about 7 crimes per prisoner-year), and aftereffects range from slightly beneficial to harmful depending on circumstances. He concludes that while prison does reduce crime, with a 10% increase in incarceration reducing crime by about 3%, it's less cost-effective than alternatives like increased policing. The post ends by examining practical challenges in the justice system that prevent effective handling of repeat offenders. Shorter summary

A collection of interesting links covering science, technology, culture, and economics, including updates on DNA malware, AI gaming, prison censorship, and various scientific studies. Longer summary

This is a link roundup post covering various interesting news and studies. Topics include DNA-encoded malware, AI in gaming, prison book bans, studies on therapy effectiveness, global inequality trends, and various scientific and cultural curiosities. The post follows Scott's typical link roundup format, providing brief commentary and context for each item, often with a mix of serious analysis and humorous observations. He covers both academic research and popular culture, maintaining his characteristic balance of intellectual rigor and accessibility. Shorter summary

A links post featuring various news and articles about politics, science, and culture, with Scott's commentary on research papers and current events. Longer summary

This is a links post compiling various interesting news and articles from around the web. Topics range from climate change and politics to scientific studies and charitable giving. Scott comments on several research papers, including ones about non-citizen voting and healthcare in Cuba. The post also includes interesting side notes about geography, prison marriages, and literary references. Many of the links are accompanied by Scott's brief commentary or witty observations. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander criticizes the idea that prisons have replaced mental hospitals, arguing for better community and forensic mental health care instead of long-term institutionalization. Longer summary

Scott Alexander critiques a Vox article that suggests America's criminal justice system has become a substitute for the gutted mental health system. He argues that this view is misguided, explaining that mental health spending hasn't decreased but shifted from long-term state hospitals to community care. Scott contends that the high number of mentally ill people in prison is due to shared risk factors with criminality, not a lack of mental health care. He emphasizes that most mentally ill people can live outside institutions and shouldn't be institutionalized preemptively. Scott advocates for better funding of community and forensic mental health systems rather than reopening state-run long-term mental hospitals, which he views as problematic. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores social impact bonds as a potential way to use corporate greed to solve social problems more efficiently than current government programs. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses social impact bonds, a system where corporations invest in solving social problems and get paid by the government if they succeed. He compares this to prediction markets and sees it as a way to use greed for good ends. The post explores potential applications in healthcare, education, and crime prevention. Scott also discusses the risks and potential for abuse in such systems, but ultimately sees them as a promising way to address social issues more efficiently than current government programs. Shorter summary