Abstract
The putatively beneficial effect of punishment on criminal offenders is examined by estimating a logistic specification of a two‐period model of optimal participation in illegitimate and legitimate activities. Estimates are obtained utilizing a sample of parolees released from all adult correctional institutions in the United States during 1972. The conclusion would seem to be that incarceration is not substantially effective in rehabilitation efforts and may even have a result opposite to that intended: increased punishment may increase optimal participation in crime.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 353-366 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Economic Inquiry |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 1980 |