FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Economics

New Department Working Paper

New working paper from Assistant Professor Adam Lavecchia, alongside Philip Oreopoulos and Ph.D. student Noah Spencer from the University of Toronto. The working paper is titled, “The Impact of Comprehensive Student Support on Crime”.

 

Abstract

This study finds substantial reductions to criminal activity from the introduction of a comprehensive high school support program for disadvantaged youth living in the largest public housing project in Toronto. The program, called Pathways to Education, bundles supports such as regular coaching, tutoring, group activities, free public transportation tickets and bursaries for post secondary education. In this paper, we use a difference-in-differences approach that compares students living in public housing communities where the program was offered to those living in communities where the program was not offered over time. We find that eligibility for Pathways reduces the likelihood of being charged with a crime by 32 percent at its Regent Park location. This effect is driven by a reduction in charges for breaking and entering, theft, mischief and other traffic offences and Youth Criminal Justice Act offences.

 

For the full set of working papers visit RePEC/ideas