*The Science of Second Chances*

The author is economist Jennifer Doleac, and the subtitle is A Revolution in Criminal Justice.  Excerpt:

We found that adding anyone charged with a felony to the law enforcement DNA database in Denmark reduced future criminal convictions by over 40 percent. Again, people responded to the higher probability of getting caught by committing fewer crimes.  Being added to the database also increased enrollment in school and rates of employment — signs that folks really were on a better path.  This effect was largest for the youngest men, those ages eighteen to twenty-four.

Incentives matter.  An excellent book, recommended, due out next year.