Ekonomická náročnost vězeňství v ČR v letech 2020–2024: Alternativní tresty a evropské zkušenosti

This bachelor’s thesis analyzes the economic costs of the prison system in the Czech Republic from 2020 to 2024, with a focus on alternative sentences and international comparisons. It draws on Gary Becker’s theory of the economics of crime and approaches to public administration and bureaucracy. The empirical section utilizes statistical data on costs, recidivism, prison capacities, and the use of alternative sentences, comparing the Czech Republic with Estonia and Norway. The results indicate that the Czech prison system is costly and burdened by high recidivism rates. Alternative punishments appear to be a more economically efficient tool that can reduce both public spending and recidivism. This thesis contributes by linking theory and empirical data and identifying opportunities to increase the effectiveness of criminal justice policy.