Actuarial Analysis of Comparative Criminal Policy: A Study on Immigration

Abstract

This study examines the social exclusion potential of immigration-related criminal policies across thirteen jurisdictions using the RIMES instrument. Although the RIMES framework does not explicitly include an immigration dimension, three items were validated as highly capable of generating social exclusion: discriminatory policing practices, deportation of legal foreign residents for minor offenses, and deportation of minors. Results indicate that Anglo-Saxon countries (California, Florida, New York, Texas, and England & Wales) and Germany exhibit the highest exclusionary potential, scoring positively on all three items, while Spain, Finland, and France occupy an intermediate position, and Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Romania are least exclusionary. Notably, discriminatory policing based on ethnic characteristics is prevalent across most jurisdictions and represents the most frequent and impactful form of exclusion, whereas deportation practices, though discriminatory, occur less frequently. The findings highlight the importance of analysing specific dimensions of criminal policy to capture nuanced cross-country differences and underscore the need for targeted reforms to reduce ethnic-based discrimination in public space policing, promoting more inclusive societies.