Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Ahead of Print.
ObjectivesWe examine the rational assumption of the interchangeability of legal and illegal monies. Drawing from economics, behavioral economics, and sociology we answer two main research questions: (1) Do offenders perceive money earned across various income-generating activities (legal vs. illegal) in the same way? (2) How do consumption patterns (spending and saving) differ across various forms of income-generating activities?MethodsWe use an a priori mixed methods approach with two interrelated studies; a quantitative survey of incarcerated offenders (N = 58) and a qualitative study of semi-structured interviews from four separate previous research projects (N = 107).ResultsWe find evidence for the existence of differential consumption patterns based on quantitative and qualitative data from both incarcerated and active offenders regarding their patterns of spending legal and illegal money.ConclusionsOur findings have implications for choice theories of crime, for public policy approaches to poverty, and crime prevention interventions.