The effect of socioeconomic variables on crime: An application for Ankara Kızılcahamam Prison

The phenomenon of crime is the greatest obstacle to the harmonious and respectful coexistence of people in society. From a universal point of view every society has to struggle with the crime that sustains its existence. States pursue policies that prevent any negativity and irregularity which is the basis for the emergence of crime and criminality so that their citizens can live in harmony and in accordance with the understanding of the welfare state. The aim of this research is to find out what are the main reasons for the emergence of crime what socio-economic factors are effective in crime and criminal cases that disrupt the social order using the survey method. To obtain the survey data for the study voluntary convicts in Kızılcahamam Closed Penitentiary in Ankara were selected after obtaining the necessary permissions from the Ministry of Justice. 71 voluntary convicts with different criminal offenses income levels age education and marital status were interviewed in face-to-face interviews. In order to obtain clear data and research results 43 questions with detailed multiple-choice answers were created to determine a person's socioeconomic status. The first part of the study introduces the basic concepts of crime and its economic models. In the second part the relationship between the concept of crime economics and the economic variables of crime is examined and the results of some literature studies related to the research topic are given. In the third part the obtained survey data were reflected through the preparation of cross-tabulations statistical analyzes were performed using these data and the relationship of the results with the basic hypotheses was evaluated. According to the information obtained from the survey the income status of the convicts is very low or they do not have a certain income their educational level is low they come from crowded and poor families; the high marital status of the single people indicates the influence of socioeconomic factors. The high number of those who commit theft and drug offenses shows the relationship between economic factors the type of offense and the economic variable. Considering all these results my general hypothesis that "socioeconomic variables have an impact on crime" is confirmed. Considering the results of this research crime prevention measures should be taken based on socio-economic variables (income level, education level, social environment, no possibility to find a job, etc.) that have a great influence on crime. In addition to sociology and psychology studies on the economy should also be carried out as part of projects training and seminars conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Justice. As a result of these studies it is expected that the crime rate in society will decrease to the lowest level.