The Missouri Sentence Advisory Commission provided an example of a cost and recidivism report for a male offender, 20, with a high school diploma, part-time job and no prior felony record. He was just convicted of a second-degree robbery (meaning nobody was hurt and no gun was used). By statute, the Class B felony carries a maximum prison term of 15 years. He is suspected of substance abuse, and state officials rate him as posing an "above-average" risk to reoffend.

The commission offers figures on three possible sentences:

• A "mitigating sentence" (lower range): Five years on regular probation, at $1,354 per year for a total of $6,770. The recidivism rate is 29.7 percent for offenders with this individual's risk rating who are placed on probation for second-degree robbery.

• A "presumptive sentence" (middle range): Probation with enhanced supervision in the community for five years, at $1,792 per year, for a total of $8,960. The recidivism rate with this penalty is again 29.7 percent.

• An "aggravating sentence" (upper range): Five years in prison at $16,823 per year for an expected actual 3.1 years behind bars, plus 1.9 years on parole at $1,354 per year for a total of $54,724. The recidivism rate is 39.6 percent with this penalty.

Recidivism for this purpose is defined as being incarcerated because of a violation of supervision or committing a new offense within two years.