The effect of education on in-prison conflict: evidence from Argentina

Using census data for Argentine prisons for the period 2202-2005, this paper presents evidence of the positive effect that prisoner education programs have on in prison conflictivity measured as sanctions or violent behaviour of the prisoner. In the order to overcome the problems of endogeneity that education decisions generate we use an instrumental variables approach. Our results show a decrease in participation in violent conflicts and bad behavior which can be partially attributed to education.In the order to overcome the problems of endogeneity that education decisions generate we use an instrumental variables approach. Our results show a decrease in participation in violent conflicts and bad behavior which can be partially attributed to education.