Causes of Crime: Insights from Institutional and Gender-based Analysis and Mapping

Abstract

Crime deterrence has remained a policy priority for most countries. Despite the existence of policies and empirical work in this area, a gap in institutional interlinkages on deterrence, and the exploration of the gender angle to crime, exists. Consequently, a regression analysis of causes of crime was undertaken to fill the gap and advice policy. The analysis entailed using the two-step System GMM estimator and six-year panel data of cumulative and gender-disaggregated offences covering 47 Kenyan spatial units. A mapping of crimes preceded the regression analysis to elucidate crime's spatial and gender dynamics. The regression results revealed that crime persists in an environment characterized by a declining likelihood of apprehension and sub-optimal conviction rates. Institutional inefficiencies that prolong the celerity of punishment signal potential offenders to victimize. Enhanced public investments in policing and a higher propensity to earn lawful income reduce crime. Results also pointed to skewed opportunities for earning legal income for female persons. Further, the deterrent effect of heightened policing significantly impacts potential female offenders more than their male counterparts. To reduce crime, crucial institutional and gender-specific interventions have been proposed.

Keywords: Crime, Causes, Mapping, Institutional, Gender

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/123-02

Publication date:August 31^st 2022