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Research ArticleArticles

Fighting Crime in the Cradle: The Effects of Early Childhood Access to Nutritional Assistance

Andrew Barr and Alexander A. Smith
Published online before print April 13, 2021, 0619-10276R2; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.58.3.0619-10276R2
Andrew Barr
Andrew Barr is an Associate Professor of Economics at Texas A&M University.
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Alexander A. Smith
Alexander A. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the United States Military Academy, West Point.
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Abstract

Using variation in the rollout of the Food Stamp Program (FSP), combined with criminal conviction data from North Carolina, we find that FSP availability in early childhood leads to large reductions in later criminal behavior. Each additional year of FSP availability in early childhood reduces the likelihood of a criminal conviction in young adulthood by 2.5 percent, with stronger effects for violent and felony convictions. These effects are substantially larger for non-whites, consistent with their higher levels of FSP participation. The discounted social benefits from the FSP’s later crime reduction exceed the costs of the program over this time period.

JEL
  • I38
  • I30
  • H53
  • H23
  • K42

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Fighting Crime in the Cradle: The Effects of Early Childhood Access to Nutritional Assistance
Andrew Barr, Alexander A. Smith
Journal of Human Resources Apr 2021, 0619-10276R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.58.3.0619-10276R2

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Fighting Crime in the Cradle: The Effects of Early Childhood Access to Nutritional Assistance
Andrew Barr, Alexander A. Smith
Journal of Human Resources Apr 2021, 0619-10276R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.58.3.0619-10276R2
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Keywords

  • I38
  • I30
  • H53
  • H23
  • K42
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