There are more jobs available to people now then there was before. Levitt believed that the rate of property crime increases once the increase in unemployment happens but since there is a stronger economy, there are fewer people unemployed (2004,171). In the 2000 's, the United States had a 2 percent decline in poverty and a 2 percent decline in property crime that illustrates the relationship that the economy affects the amount of crime that is happening (Levitt, 2004,171). Also, the housing market has a very similar pattern with as the trend in crime because when a crime is going down in an area that it is more expensive to own a house in that area but in cities of poverty and higher crime the housing market is important (D.Pope, J.Pope, 2012,185-187). Merton 's social Strain theory demonstrates this he believes that if people have the access to legitimate means and he or she embraces the cultural goals that he is a conformist and has legitimate means to achieve his goals and this is a stable society and he or she is the most common out of everyone. On the other hand, if people did not have the access to legitimate means because of the decline in jobs available but they had the wanted to have success that they would turn to illegitimate means like poverty crime and not having the access to legitimate means may be because they are living in …show more content…
The United States has a sharp incline in incarceration. The link to the decline in crime in the states is they are removing more criminals off the street by drug-related offenses and longer sentences for crime. The next explanation is since there are longer sentences than it stops other people from committing the same crime and thinking it is attractive (Levitt, 2004,183). The theory that relates to the United States imprisonment model is Becarria and Benetham believed that deterrence has t be swift and sever. Classical school theorist also believes that the punishment needs to be equal to the crime and that the punishment should take place fairly soon (Heidt, P.Wheeldon, 2015,p.15). In the states like Benethan and Becarra wanted the punishment is sever since people serving time are serving double the amount they should be. Because of this, it can be assumed that people are avoiding crimes that have a long punishment period and thus the drop in crime