Final answer:
Crime rates and punishment can be investigated using data from North Carolina counties. Insights can be drawn from crime-related and demographic statistics, showing a connection between education and crime rates, as well as the impact of neighborhood variables on crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between crime rates and punishment can be investigated using data from 90 North Carolina counties observed over a specific period. By analyzing crime-related and demographic statistics, researchers can gain insights into the relationship between crime and other characteristics. For example, one analysis of data from 47 US states in 1960 found a strong connection between education and crime rates. Additionally, studies have shown that neighborhood variables such as the percentage of young males, jobless rate, and population density strongly predict crime rates. Furthermore, research suggests that long-term imprisonment for lesser crimes does little to reduce overall crime rates.