From Fallen London Wiki (Staging)

For someone who's only been to New Newgate Again once, Criminal Record should be at 1.

That translates to 1 Dispensation... but the version of this storylet that handles someone without a criminal record has it cost 2 Dispensations.

Does this mean that escaping prison with a single offense on your criminal record is cheaper in Dispensations than if you have no record at all?