Final answer:
The effectiveness of extralegal consequences as a deterrent compared to legal consequences varies. While stricter sentencing can reduce specific crimes, some deterrence programs like Scared Straight may increase the likelihood of criminal behavior. Economic factors and opportunity costs are also significant in influencing crime rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that extralegal consequences of crime can act as a greater deterrent than legal consequences is complex and context-dependent. On one hand, evidence suggests that sentencing laws, such as longer sentences for gun crimes, can create a deterrence effect, leading to a reduction in those crimes. For example, when gun crime sentences were lengthened, there was a 5% reduction in gun crime. On the other hand, programs like Scared Straight, which expose at-risk youth to prison environments in an attempt to deter criminal behavior, have been shown to potentially increase criminal behavior rather than reduce it.
Moreover, the influence of opportunity costs and economic conditions cannot be overlooked. Strong economic conditions, such as low unemployment and higher wages, play a substantial role in reducing crime by providing better alternatives to illegal activities. Conversely, when alternative legal opportunities are less lucrative or scarce, individuals may be more likely to engage in criminal activity, as the benefits outweigh the legal and extralegal costs.
Countries employ various strategies within their criminal justice systems to reduce crime. These include deterrence through legal punishment, but also focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and restorative justice approaches. For instance, improving education and economic conditions can preemptively reduce crime by changing the opportunity costs associated with it.