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Stricter Community Supervision, More Recidivism? An Ego-Depletion Theory

  • Murat C. Mungan EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: May 30, 2023
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Abstract

Can stricter community supervision (i.e., parole and probation) requirements lead to an increase in recidivism? I investigate this question by constructing a law enforcement model in which individuals can incur costs to increase their degree of self-control. The analysis reveals that stricter community supervision can, in fact, increase recidivism if these investments lead to ego-depletion. This possibility therefore warrants empirical investigation, and policy makers ought to be mindful of it when determining the strictness of community supervision conditions.

JEL Classification: K0; K14; K42

Corresponding author: Professor Murat C. Mungan, Texas A&M University School of Law, Fort Worth, USA, E-mail:

I am grateful to two anonymous referees for useful comments and suggestions, and to the Bologna Center for Law and Economics for support.


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Published Online: 2023-05-30

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