Education Policy and Crime

52 Pages Posted: 12 Apr 2010 Last revised: 7 Jun 2023

See all articles by Lance Lochner

Lance Lochner

University of Western Ontario - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: April 2010

Abstract

This paper discusses the relationship between education and crime from an economic perspective, developing a human capital-based model that sheds light on key ways in which early childhood programs and policies that encourage schooling may affect both juvenile and adult crime. The paper first discusses evidence on the effects of educational attainment, school quality, and school enrollment on crime. Next, the paper discusses evidence on the crime reduction effects of preschool programs like Perry Preschool and Head Start, school-age programs that emphasize social and emotional development, and job training programs for low-skill adolescents and young adults. Finally, the paper concludes with a broad discussion of education policy and its potential role as a crime-fighting strategy.

Suggested Citation

Lochner, Lance, Education Policy and Crime (April 2010). NBER Working Paper No. w15894, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1586701

Lance Lochner (Contact Author)

University of Western Ontario - Department of Economics ( email )

London, Ontario N6A 5B8
Canada

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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