Study Confirms that Harsher Penalties Don't Reduce Crime Library: LIF-SOC Keywords: CRIME ECONOMICS PENALTY PENALTIES REDUCTION CRIMINAL LAW PUNISHMENT Description: Harsher punishments do not deter crime, according to a recent study by a professor of Economics at Centre College. (Am. Law and Economics Review, Fall-2002)
Study Confirms that Harsher Penalties Don't Reduce Crime
"It is appealing to think that with harsher punishments crime rates would drop," says David A. Anderson, Paul G. Blazer Associate Professor, Department of Economics at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. "Unfortunately, this is not the case for a variety of reasons. First, for every type of crime except assault, the most important reason why punishments fail to deter is that the criminals do not perceive that they will actually get caught, regardless of their awareness of punishments. Second, it would take more than a minor adjustment in the severity of a punishment to get a criminals' attention. Finally, while the punishments for some lesser crimes have grown, my study indicates that few criminals are aware of the increasing consequences - about-to-be lawbreakers don't look up penalties in the law books; they don't plan to get caught," says Anderson, who has spent years compiling statistical research data on this topic. His work has been cited on the pages of the Wall Street Journal and he has appeared on CNN to discuss his research.
David Anderson has written extensively on the economics of crime. His current research will appear in the forthcoming: American Law and Economics Review; 4:2, (Fall, 2002) 295-313. (http://www.centre.edu/web/news/rationality.html). Anderson holds a BA degree from the University of Michigan and Masters and Doctoral degrees from Duke University.
To arrange an interview please contact Brant Welch, media associate, Centre College at welch at centre.edu or (859) 238-5719 or Marilynne Herbert, Halstead Communications, Herbert at halsteadpr.com or (212) 734-2190.
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