Those with high discount rates are more likely to commit crime

From Effective Altruism Forum The paper shows that criminals discount the future much more than non criminals which combined with the delayed and uncertain future punishment, makes them more likely to commit crime

The existence of significant procedural delays in trials and sentencing may [reduce the perceived costs of crime], pushing the eventual punishment further into the discounting window.

Instead it suggests that:

• Reduce short sentences in brutalising prisons in favour of greater use of suspended sentence or punishments akin to UK community orders,
• Longer jail terms for repeat offenders to remove them from circulation "incapacitation," and place an emphasis on humane treatment within prison environments.
• Visible policing and and contact with communities as a central point of practice.
• Street lamps

HT:  MarginalRevolution.com