Some jurisdictions are asking for more judicial accountability for costly sentencing choices that are ineffective. A new program in Missouri uses data about offenders to help answer these questions: What is the likelihood, under different sentencing options, that an offender will reoffend? How much would each sentence option cost the state? This New York Times article offers a comprehensive depiction of the program and highlights its supporters and detractors. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/us/19judges.html?pagewanted=all