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Deterrence and the Adjustment of Sentences During Imprisonment

Author

Listed:
  • A Mitchell Polinsky
  • Steven Shavell

Abstract

The prison time actually served by a convicted criminal depends to a significant degree on decisions made by the state during the course of imprisonment—notably, on whether to grant parole. We study a model of the adjustment of sentences assuming that the state’s objective is the optimal deterrence of crime. In the model, the state can lower or raise a criminal’s initial sentence on the basis of deterrence-relevant information obtained during imprisonment. Our focus on sentence adjustment as a means of promoting deterrence stands in contrast to the usual emphasis in sentence adjustment policy on avoiding recidivism.

Suggested Citation

  • A Mitchell Polinsky & Steven Shavell, 2021. "Deterrence and the Adjustment of Sentences During Imprisonment," American Law and Economics Review, American Law and Economics Association, vol. 23(2), pages 481-519.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:amlawe:v:23:y:2021:i:2:p:481-519.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/aler/ahab004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    K14; K42;

    JEL classification:

    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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