Old Dog, New Tricks?

It takes 300 to 500 repetitions to develop a new neuro-motor pattern - such as a skate-board trick; however, once a bad habit or incorrect motion has been learned it takes 3000 to 5000 repetitions to correct.

Correcting learned criminal behavior is similarly expensive for society.  For example, observe the 38 million dollars it cost to add 800 beds to the El Paso County Detention facility.

By contrast, the skateboard facility at Colorado Springs' memorial park was 1 million dollars+- and...

"The city didn’t use general-fund money to pay for the lights or the skate park. Phil Long Ford, Denver Broncos Charities, Great Outdoors Colorado, Skate Park Friends and the Trails, Open Space and Parks tax, or TOPS, funded the skate park."
http://www.gazette.com/articles/skate-58522-bikers-skaters.html

Hundreds of youths utilize the facility; and many display skills that can only be developed by many hours of practice.  Self-discipline, persistence, and mastery of one's fears and limitations are vital elements of the character required to successfully meet the challenges of post-modern life.

Prison beds or skate park - which is the wiser investment with a greater long term return?

Hmm....