ALKOHOLENS PÅVERKAN PÅ FÄNGELSEPOPULATIONEN - En studie av EU:s medlemsstater 2008-2015

Abstract

Aims and objectives: In this thesis I have chosen to take a closer look at the relationship between general habits of alcohol consumption in the EU:s member states and their respective sizes of prison populations. In short, this thesis compares each of the EU:s member states when it comes to pure alcohol in litres consumed per capita and also the number of individuals imprisoned per one hundred thousand inhabitants. The hypothesis is that a greater consumption of alcohol in a member state also will increase the corresponding prison population. This relationship is made possible through a hypothesis of alcohol exposure in the population, leading to a number of events that may lead to higher risk of criminal activity. Method and data: This thesis uses a mixed model regression analysis to explore the relationship between alcohol, unemployment, GNP, risk of poverty and GINI both on the national level and an aggregated comparative level. The method therefore consists of comparing data in member states but also comparing data between member states. Results: The analysis concludes that significant results are achieved between the number of prisoners in each EU member state and their general alcohol consumption habits. Significant results are also shown for GNP and unemployment. This is in line with this thesis types of inquiry and also supports previous criminological theories.