NCJ Number
178124
Journal
International Journal of Risk, Security and Crime Prevention Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: July 1998 Pages: 169-180
Date Published
1998
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article presents the findings of a review of the extensive literature that has examined the relationship between crime and the labor market, particularly the level of unemployment.
Abstract
Most of the empirical testing of the relationship between crime and unemployment has analyzed data on recorded crime rates and rates of registered unemployment by using standard statistical procedures, normally multiple regression analysis. Three basic types of study can be distinguished. These are cross- section comparisons of areas at a point in time, e.g., of police force areas in a particular year; analyses of a particular area (region, country) over a period of time (usually several years); and longitudinal studies of individuals, often released prisoners. Overall, there is a substantial volume of empirical research that indicates a causal connection between diminished economic circumstances and crime increases. Although there may be methodological weaknesses with any one type of study, when the findings of all three types of studies are considered together, there is a consensus that the incidence of criminal activity is affected by changes in the state of a nation's economic health, as reflected in unemployment rates. 1 figure and 42 notes