On Punishment Severity and Crime Rates

Abstract

Punishment severity and crime rates vary across jurisdictions. Some countries have punitive sanctions and nevertheless experience relatively high crime rates. This article explores potential sources of the interjurisdictional heterogeneity in the optimal law enforcement model, paying particular attention to the possibility that the high crime despite high sanctions outcome can be socially optimal. The key conceptual issue is the interaction between detection efforts of enforcers and avoidance efforts of offenders.