Can The Promise Of Opportunity Reduce Crime?

Steve Scher talks to UW Sociology professor Robert Crutchfield about the research in his new book ,"Get A Job: Labor Markets, Economic Opportunity, And Crime."

One argument for raising the minimum wage is that better pay will tie a person to the work in a positive way. More pay could give a worker hope that they will be able to build a better life for themselves and their family. Research shows that kids will pick up on that hope and be less likely to commit crimes.

Crutchfield has worked as a parole agent and a juvenile probation officer. His research focuses on the connections between labor markets, economic opportunity and crime. Basically, he says, a good job reduces crime.