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Do parole abolition and Truth-in-Sentencing deter violent crimes in Virginia?

Author

Listed:
  • Qi Li

    (Capital University of Economics and Business
    Texas A&M University)

  • Wei Long

    (Tulane University)

Abstract

This paper examines the treatment effect of the justice reform enacted on January 1, 1995, in Virginia. Using FBI’s Uniform Crime Report data about crime rates per 100,000 population from 1960 to 2010, we find that after the reform the reported aggregated violent crime rate declined significantly and is mainly driven down by the decrease in robbery. We also consider property crime and find that the reported property crime rate does not decline until 4 years later, indicating that the justice reform in Virginia also has lagged treatment effect on property crime.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Li & Wei Long, 2018. "Do parole abolition and Truth-in-Sentencing deter violent crimes in Virginia?," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 2027-2045, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:55:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s00181-017-1332-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-017-1332-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hongjun Li & Zheng Li & Cheng Hsiao, 2023. "Assessing the impacts of pandemic and the increase in minimum down payment rate on Shanghai housing prices," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 64(6), pages 2661-2682, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Average treatment effect; Counterfactual analysis; Parole abolition; Truth-in-Sentencing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law

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