Average monthly income of criminals exceeds R$46 thousand

According to a survey carried out in 10 prison units in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, the “monthly income” of inmates who committed economic crimes – when free – it was on average R$46.3 thousand.

The value exceeds by 12.9 times the average value of monthly income obtained by criminals when engaged in legal activities.

The research was carried out by economist and professor at the State University of Western Paraná (Unioeste/Toledo), Pery Francisco Assis Shikida. The survey included the participation of 10 researchers, 4 PhD professors, 3 master’s students, 1 economist and 2 law students.

Titled “Aspects of the Economy of Crime in Prison Units in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo: Theoretical Elements and Evidence”the research heard 408 inmates of the prison system in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.

When asked about gender, 74.8% of respondents declared themselves men, 15.9% women and 9.3% others. Regarding color, 58.1% declared themselves mixed race, 28.7% white and 13.2% black.

The research was carried out over 8 weeks, one per month, from September 2023 to April 2024, totaling 56 days, with an average of 8 hours of work per day.

The researchers had authorization from the São Paulo State Penitentiary Administration Secretariat (SAP-SP) and the Judiciary to access the units and inmates. The work also received support from the Integrated Command and Control Center (CICC/SP).

Profession “thug”

According to the research, there was a concentration of crimes in robbery/assault (68.6%), drug trafficking (60.8%) and theft (43.1%).

In another block appear: reception (13%), association with drug trafficking (12.3%), gang formation (9.1%), kidnapping (7.4%), robbery (6.9%) and fraud (6 .4%).

The third block includes: extortion through kidnapping (2.9%), attempted robbery (2.7%), extortion (2.2%), smuggling (2%), fraud (1%) and white collar ( 0.2%).

When the inmates were asked about their professional occupation at the time of the crime, the answers were quite varied.

The professions of general assistant, driver/motorcycle courier, painter, production assistant, bricklayer/general services, businessman, car wash, mechanic, bricklayer, salesman and hairdresser/manicurist stand out.

Among those interviewed, 7.8% admitted to living off crime, his profession being “thug”.

Monthly income

The average monthly income obtained from legal work was R$3,595.96, value 12.9 times lower than the income obtained illegally.

For 76% of those interviewed, legal income was sufficient to cover basic expenses, while 24% stated the opposite.

Regarding the patrimonial issue, 41.2% of prisoners did not own real estate; 39.5% had properties registered in the name of third parties; and 18.8% owned properties in their names. Only 0.5% did not respond or were unable to respond.

According to the researchers, the main motivations presented by inmates for carrying out criminal activity include the idea of ​​easy gain, greed, ambition and greed, up to the induction of other people.

“With the benefits greater than the costs, with the average income from crime being R$46,333.00 (12.9 times more than income from legal work), crime pays! State policies that encourage more opportunities, employment, work and education are ways identified by those surveyed to reduce these crimes”, says an excerpt from the research.

“When punishments/penalties capable of deterring crime were mentioned, the need for credible laws was highlighted”, says another excerpt.

“Crime pays”

When asked about the cost-benefit of criminal activity, 91.2% of inmates stated that the economic benefit was greater than the cost. For 3.4%, the benefit was equal to the cost and for 0.7% the cost was greater than the benefit. 4.7% did not respond or were unable to respond.

“According to the delinquent’s rationality, if the expectation of criminal practice, after weighing the expected costs and benefits, results in gains greater than the costs, it is very likely that the crime will be committed”, the researchers pointed out.

Despite claiming more work and education opportunities as ways to reduce crime, 31.1% of those interviewed appointed the death penalty for those who commit violent crimes such as rape.

Another 19.8% pointed to increasing the penalty for violent crimes as a solution; 8.6% suggested life imprisonment and 6.4% pointed to “treatment” as a possibility.

Fragile locks

In the literature on the subject, religion, family and education/school are highlighted as moral barriers that deter crime.

In the survey, the religions with the highest frequencies were: evangelical (46.6%), Catholic (21.8%), Candomblé (3.9%), Umbanda (2.7%), Spiritist (2.2%) and Judaism (0.2%).

22.1% of those interviewed said they had no religion, while 0.5% considered themselves atheists or agnostics.

When asked whether or not they practiced their religious beliefs, 49% responded that they did not practice, while 48.5% practiced, 2.5% did not answer or did not know how to answer”

“The proportion of non-practitioners supports the argument that religion, when not effectively exercised, is not playing the role of a moral barrier against illegal actions”, says an excerpt from the survey.

According to the researchers’ analysis, the results demonstrate “the fragility of moral barriers for the majority of interviewees who were involved in crime”.