Working Paper 1

"Exploring the Determinants of Correctional Facility Locations"

Despite the growth of prisons across the United States, we still lack clear criteria for selecting their locations. This paper aims to identify the key local characteristics that influence the decision to build and open a correctional facility, taking into account the perspectives of State, Federal, local, and private owners. By analyzing demographic data at the tract and block-group levels, alongside voting patterns, crime statistics, and spatial data, I seek to uncover the primary drivers behind prison location decisions.

Working Paper 2

"How Close is Too Close? Heterogeneous Effects on Property Values Near the Atlanta BeltLine" with Spencer Banzhaf

Our paper investigates the impact of the BeltLine, a rails-to-trails initiative in Atlanta, GA, on property values across varying distances. We seek to understand how the BeltLine is perceived as an amenity by homeowners and renters, given its transformation of old railroads into public parks and trails. We hypothesize that property values will increase for both homeowners and renters; however, we anticipate this increase to be heterogeneous. Renters are likely to view access to new trails as an amenity, particularly those in close proximity to the trail, whereas homeowners directly adjacent to the trail may experience some disamenities.

Work in Progress

"How Robust are Hedonic Models on Residential Property Values?" with Jeffrey Dorfman

"The Effects of Justice Policy on Investments in the Private Prison Sector: Evidence from the United States and South Africa" with Austin Hooe

Publications

Allyson Emblom (2019). "Paid Family Leave and the Timing Of Pregnancies". The Developing Economist, Vol 6. [Journal Link]