Journal of Political Economy Vol. 86 No. 5 1978
An Economic Analysis of Crime and Punishment in England and Wales, 1894-1967
Abstract
Crime of almost every variety has increased enormously over the past 80 years in England, at the same time that the risk of capture and severity of punishment have declined. This paper presents an attempt to understand these profiles and their interrelationship. Comparisons with the United States are also stressed. In performing this analysis, methodologies were developed and implemented to isolate the deterrent component from the incapacitation component of punishment. One-half of the total effect of imprisonment is ascribed to deterrence. In addition, the most recent experience of rising criminal activity is shown to be, in no small way, a manifestation of the movements in deterrent variables.
- DOI
- 10.1086/260713
- Volume
- 86
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 815-840
- Language
- en
- Sources
- openalex crossref