Family member incarceration and delinquent behaviour in the classroom: evidence from Brazil

Abstract

This article extends the empirical literature on the economics of crime and delinquency. Using a unique data set from Brazil, we investigate how having a family member behind bars influences the behaviour of adolescents in the classroom. Results from a series of probit model estimations show that having close relatives incarcerated increases the adolescents’ probability of fighting with a classmate by 2.69 p. p. and the probability of misbehaving in class by 4.8 p. p. This result is in line with social learning theories of crime, and it complements recent empirical evidence about the influence of peers on adolescent’s time allocation and engagement in delinquent activities.

Keywords:

• behaviour
• delinquency
• education
• incarceration

JEL Classification:

• I29
• J12
• K42

Acknowledgements

Financial support from INEP and CAPES Foundation through grant OBEDUC-26/2010 is gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

¹ The metropolitan area of Vitória has seven cities and a total population of about 1.6 million residents, corresponding to 47% of the State’s population. More than 14 000 people were behind bars in the State by December 2012, leading to a prison population rate of 390. The metropolitan area of Vitória is certainly a place where adolescents are likely to be influenced by people who were incarcerated or involved in criminal activities.