Researchers: Harsher penalties may in fact be effective — but perhaps not for the reasons journalists had in mind
Written by Lars Højsgaard Andersen, Mikkel Mertz and Line Hjorth Andersen.
This content is only available in Danish (“Forskere: Hårdere straffe kan faktisk virke. Men måske ikke af den årsag, som journalisterne tænkte på”).
Relevant employees
Lars Højsgaard Andersen
Research Professor and
Head of Research in Marginalised groups
lha@rff.dk
+45 61 66 63 78
Family and social conditions
Mikkel Mertz
Researcher
mme@rff.dk
+45 53 53 71 22
Family and social conditions
Line Hjorth Andersen
PhD Student
lia@rff.dk
Family and social conditions
Health and well-being
Latest releases on the same welfare topic
Research report
A Statistical Decomposition of Nativity Gaps in Criminal Convictions Using Full Population Data from Five Developed Democracies
March 2026
Knowledge overview
Young people whose basic needs are met within the family have better well-being.
February 2026
Analysis
Divorce is far more common among older couples today than it used to be
February 2026
Research report
Divorce Conflict and Health Across the Divorce Process: A Ten-Year Observational Study of Medicine Prescriptions, Primary Care Visits, and Hospitalizations
February 2026