Using Large-Scale Network Data to Measure Social Returns and Improve Targeting of Crime-Reduction Interventions

Randomized control trials have tested how interventions such as deterrence, punishment, and employment affect violence and other criminal behavior, but they have not considered how these interventions may impact the participants’ social networks. As most offenders report offending with others, changing one person’s criminal behavior could plausibly change that of others. Economists Sara Heller and Ashley Craig will examine whether violence-reduction interventions change criminal behavior of others in participants’ social networks. They will analyze data from four randomized control trials for their study.