The Relation of Criminal Activity to Black Youth Employment

Abstract

This article reports on a study which attempts to estimate the extent to which current and previous criminal activity reduces the employment of inner city black male youths from high poverty neighborhoods. The study finds a significant trade-off between employment and crime, with crime associated with a 10 to 12 percent reduction in employment of these youths. The policy implication is that increased criminal deterrence, as well as other programs, has a role to play in efforts to resolve the employment crisis for disadvantaged youths.