Authors
Randi Hjalmarsson, Matthew J Lindquist
Publication date
2022/10
Journal
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Volume
14
Issue
4
Pages
234-270
Description
This paper studies the health effects of Swedish prison reforms that held sentences constant but increased the share of time inmates had to serve. The increased time served did not harm post-release health and actually reduced mortality risk. We find especially large decreases in mortality for offenders not previously incarcerated, younger offenders, and those more attached to the labor market. Risk of suicide and circulatory death fell for inmates with mental health problems and older inmates, respectively. In-prison health care utilization and program participation increased with time served, suggesting health care treatment and services as the key mechanism for mortality declines. (JEL I12, I18, K42)
Total citations
2021202220232024671411
Scholar articles
R Hjalmarsson, MJ Lindquist - American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2022