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Deterrence and Incapacitation: Towards a Unified Theory of Criminal Punishment

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Author Info
Thomas J. Miceli (University of Connecticut)

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Abstract

Economic models of crime have focused primarily on the goal of deterrence; the goal of incapacitation has received much less attention. This paper adapts the standard deterrence model to incorporate incapacitation. When prison only is used, incapacitation can result in a longer or a shorter optimal prison term compared to the deterrence-only model. It is longer if there is underdeterrence, and shorter if there is overdeterrence. In contrast, when a fine is available and it is not constrained by the offender's wealth, the optimal prison term is zero. Since the fine achieves first-best deterrence, only efficient crimes are committed and hence, there is no gain from incapacitation.

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File URL: http://www.econ.uconn.edu/working/2009-11.pdf
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by University of Connecticut, Department of Economics in its series Working papers with number 2009-11.

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Length: 15 pages
Date of creation: Mar 2009
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2009-11

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Related research
Keywords: Career criminals; deterrence; incapacitation; law enforcement;

Find related papers by 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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This page was last updated on 2009-10-28.

This information is provided to you by IDEAS at the Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Connecticut using RePEc data on a server sponsored by the Society for Economic Dynamics.