Does early release decrease or increase the probability that ex-convicts will return to prison? We exploit unique data … judges more often deny parole requests of prisoners appearing further from the judges' last break. We then use this variation … in instrumental variable estimations and find that early releases reduce the propensity of prisoners to return to prison …

uses 19th century US prison records to demonstrate that although modern BMIs have increased in the 20th century, 19th …

rates of recidivism among ex-convicts is due to selection, and not a consequence of the experience of being in prison …Understanding whether, and in what situations, time spent in prison is criminogenic or preventive has proven … assignment of criminal cases to judges who differ systematically in their stringency in sentencing defendants to prison. Using …