NCJ Number
16045
Editor(s)
P R DAVID
Date Published
1974
Length
309 pages
Annotation
THE FIVE INTERVIEWS WERE SELECTED TO REPRESENT A TYPICAL ETHNIC MIX OF PROPERTY OFFENDERS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE AREA, WHICH HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST BURGLARY RATES IN THE NATION.
Abstract
THE INTERVIEW GUIDE COVERED TOPICS ENCOMPASSING THE FAMILY STRUCTURE, THE SCHOOL YEARS, PEER GROUPS, EARLY INVOLVEMENT WITH DEVIANT OR CRIMINAL ACTS, FIRST EXPOSURES TO THE POLICE, EXPERIENCES RELATED TO DETENTION OR INCARCERATION, AND THE JUDICIAL PROCESS. ALSO EMPHASIZED WAS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CRIMINAL'S LIFE OF CRIME, TECHNIQUES, MOTIVATIONS, AND PROBLEMS IN DISPOSING STOLEN PROPERTY. THE INTERVIEWS ALSO FOCUSED ON THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE JUDICIARY, AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THEIR REACTIONS TO PROBATION AND PAROLE. OTHER MATERIAL THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE INTERVIEW WERE THE BURGLAR'S PROBLEMS IN ADAPTING TO COMMUNITY LIFE AFTER RELEASE, AND THEIR SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE CAREER PATTERNS OF THESE CRIMINALS (AS THEY WERE DEVELOPED IN THE INTERVIEWS) WERE COMPARED TO SEE HOW THEY RELATED TO CURRENT THEORIES OF CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY AND TO POLICIES AND PRACTICES WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.