Discuss the concept of the chronic offender. Do you agree that early, repeated engagement in delinquency is the best predictor of future adult criminality? Do you think that "careers in delinquency" is an apropos descriptor for this group of youthful offenders? Explain your position

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Most adolescents age out of crime, however, a relatively small number of youths begin to violate the law early in their lives (early onset) and continue at a high rate well into adulthood (persistence)
• The association between early onset and high-rate persistent offending has been demonstrated in samples drawn from a variety of cultures, time periods, and offender types
• These offenders are resistant to change and seem immune to the effects of punishment
o Arrest, prosecution, and conviction do little to slow down their offending careers
• These chronic offenders are responsible for a significant amount of all delinquent and criminal activity
• Because almost everyone commits less crime as they age, it is difficult to predict or identify in advance the relatively few offenders who will continue to commit crime throughout their lives
• Current interest in the delinquent life cycle was prompted in part by the "discovery" in the 1970s of the chronic juvenile (or delinquent) offender
o According to this view, a relatively small number of youthful offenders commit a significant percentage of all serious crimes, and many of these same offenders grow up to become chronic adult criminals
• Chronic offenders can be distinguished from other delinquent youths
o Many youthful law violators are apprehended for a single instance of criminal behavior, such as shoplifting or joyriding
o Chronic offenders begin their delinquent careers at a young age (under 10 years, referred to as early onset), have serious and persistent brushes with the law, and may be excessively violent and destructive
o They do not age out of crime but continue their law-violating behavior into adulthood
• Most research shows that early, repeated delinquent activity is the best predictor of future adult criminality
• Student responses will vary