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The Quality of Life in Prisons: Do Educational Programs Reduce In-prison Conflicts?

Author

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  • María Laura Alzúa

    (Centro de Estudios Distributivos, Laborales y Sociales (CEDLAS) - FCE - UNLP y CONICET)

  • Catherine Rodriguez

    (Universidad de los Andes)

  • Edgar Villa

    (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana)

Abstract

The harshness of punishment society chooses to impose on crime offenders is mandated by law. However, the quality of life in prison can make this punishment harsher. This creates a variation in the severity of punishment which is not legislated and may differ from society's taste for penalties. Indicators of in prison violence and conflicts seem to be appropriate proxy variables for prison conditions. Using indicators of in prison violent behavior, we use an exogenous source in education participation in educational programs in order to asses the effect of education on such measures of conflict. Applying instrumental variables techniques to census data for Argentine prisons, we find that educational programs significantly reduce indicators of property damages in prison. Such reductions amounts to a 60 percent decrease relative to the mean level of property damages.

Suggested Citation

  • María Laura Alzúa & Catherine Rodriguez & Edgar Villa, 2009. "The Quality of Life in Prisons: Do Educational Programs Reduce In-prison Conflicts?," CEDLAS, Working Papers 0091, CEDLAS, Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
    • Handle: RePEc:dls:wpaper:0091
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    Cited by:

    1. Rafael Di Tella & Ernesto Schargrodsky, 2013. "Criminal Recidivism after Prison and Electronic Monitoring," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 121(1), pages 28-73.
    2. Oscar Barriga, 2012. "Conductas violentas y hacinamiento carcelario," Revista Desarrollo y Sociedad, Universidad de los Andes,Facultad de Economía, CEDE.

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