Question

In the research question "Do private prisons have a lower recidivism rate than public prisons?", what are some control variables you would use in your model?

Answer 1

Answer to the question)
Research question: private prisoners have lower recidivism rate than public prisons

Some of the variables that need to be taken care of in order to avoid other variables form affecting the recidivism rate are as follows:

1. Crime accusations: people who are compared must be from a particular type of crime accusations. As different crime background affects the mindset of the prisoners differently, hence it can be one strong reason behind returning to prison after release

2. charges levied : What sections and charges are levied on the person. If severe charges are levied this breaks the prisoner mentally and may pull them towards more crime , does affecting the return rate. thus prisoners with not so severe charges must be considered from both the private and public prisons.

3. Number of years in jail: There are prisoners who stay in prison for longer years, and then there are prisoners who may come out within weeks and may actually tend to commit crime thinking that they can just be out of prison in some days, and they are fine with that part. So the duration of stay in prison is major factor that may affect a prisoners return to prison.

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Thus controlling these variables: people from similar criminal background, similar charges, and almost same duration of stay must be included in the sample for final research. Certain demographic factors like: gender, age and education level must also be considered.