Michael Makowsky

Clemson University Website

Michael Makowsky is Associate Professor of Economics at Clemson University. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University.

Voting History

Pretrial detention

Reducing the number of people detained pretrial will lead to a net increase in crime in the medium- to long-term.

Vote Confidence
Strongly Disagree 9
Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Disagree 7
Comments

The marginal individuals released from pre-trial detention from all but the most extreme policy shifts would have a negligible effect on crime.

Ending the use of cash bail will meaningfully reduce the number of people detained pretrial.

Vote Confidence
Strongly Agree 8
Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Agree 7
Comments

Using risk assessment to inform detention decisions will meaningfully reduce the number of people detained pretrial.

Vote Confidence
Strongly Agree 8
Median Survey Vote Median Survey Confidence
Neutral/No Opinion 5
Comments

Given the risk aversion of judges, any exogenous assessment of risk would reduce their personal and reputational risk of releasing individuals pre-trial.