The Relationship Between Forced Migration and the Cycle of Crime: Structural Factors and Preventive Social Policies

The aim of this study is to examine through which structural and social mechanisms forced migration increases individuals’ risk of becoming involved in the cycle of crime. The central research problem focuses on whether forced migration alone can explain criminal behavior, and how factors such as uncertainty in refugee legal status, poverty, limited access to education and employment, and social exclusion contribute to the formation and reproduction of the crime cycle. The study situates forced migration within the broader context of social exclusion, spatial segregation, and the societal perception that associates migrants with crime. The research adopts a qualitative approach and is based on secondary data analysis and a thematic review of existing academic field studies. The findings indicate that forced migration itself does not directly lead to criminal behavior. Rather, structural factors such as unemployment, low educational attainment, ghettoization, and insufficient social support mechanisms significantly increase the likelihood of individuals becoming involved in the cycle of crime. In addition, the widespread social perception that links migrants with crime deepens exclusion and contributes to the ongoing reproduction of this cycle.In conclusion, the study emphasizes that the prevention of crime and violence requires inclusive social policies rather than security-oriented approaches. Education- and employment-focused interventions, along with practices that strengthen social cohesion, play a critical role in reducing crime risks among forcibly displaced populations. By adopting a preventive and holistic perspective, this research aims to contribute to the academic literature on forced migration and crime.