Educational programs and crime: a compartmental model approach

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Ramponi, Alessandro, Tessitore, M. Elisabetta
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
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author Ramponi, Alessandro
Tessitore, M. Elisabetta
author_facet Ramponi, Alessandro
Tessitore, M. Elisabetta
contents In this paper, we present a mathematical model to describe the temporal evolution of delinquent behavior, treating it as a socially transmitted phenomenon influenced by peer interactions, thus similar to an epidemic. We consider a compartmental framework involving three ordinary differential equations to describe the dynamics among the three population groups: individuals not incarcerated (susceptible), incarcerated offenders, and incarcerated offenders participating in an educational program. Transitions between the groups are governed by interaction-based mechanisms that capture the influence of peer effects in the spread of criminal behavior. The model revealed three equilibrium states: a delinquence free equilibrium, an equilibrium where no criminals attend an educational program, and a coexistence equilibrium. The basic reproduction number, $R_0$, was derived, and a sensitivity analysis revealed the key parameters that influence the system's stability. The model thus provides a quantitative basis for evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies in correctional settings. Numerical simulations and an empirical application illustrate the qualitative properties of the model and show how parameter variations influence system behavior.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_17831
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Educational programs and crime: a compartmental model approach
Ramponi, Alessandro
Tessitore, M. Elisabetta
Physics and Society
Dynamical Systems
Populations and Evolution
37N99, 91D10, 34C60
In this paper, we present a mathematical model to describe the temporal evolution of delinquent behavior, treating it as a socially transmitted phenomenon influenced by peer interactions, thus similar to an epidemic. We consider a compartmental framework involving three ordinary differential equations to describe the dynamics among the three population groups: individuals not incarcerated (susceptible), incarcerated offenders, and incarcerated offenders participating in an educational program. Transitions between the groups are governed by interaction-based mechanisms that capture the influence of peer effects in the spread of criminal behavior. The model revealed three equilibrium states: a delinquence free equilibrium, an equilibrium where no criminals attend an educational program, and a coexistence equilibrium. The basic reproduction number, $R_0$, was derived, and a sensitivity analysis revealed the key parameters that influence the system's stability. The model thus provides a quantitative basis for evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies in correctional settings. Numerical simulations and an empirical application illustrate the qualitative properties of the model and show how parameter variations influence system behavior.
title Educational programs and crime: a compartmental model approach
topic Physics and Society
Dynamical Systems
Populations and Evolution
37N99, 91D10, 34C60
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.17831