During the 1980s, punishment and control became increasingly complex.
As a result, the relevance of various forms of noncriminal justice sys
tem control-welfare assistance, psychiatric intervention, and educatio
n-has been increasingly recognized. The interaction between the variou
s forms of control is characterized as transcarceration. The analysis
in this article incorporates data from 50 states to assess interaction
between various forms of control, holding constant the influence of s
ocial and economic conditions. Multivariate analyses indicate transcar
ceral effects do exist. Policy implications are discussed in light of
demands by the public for more effective social control and fiscal con
straint.