NCJ Number
55791
Journal
Indian Journal of Social Work Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 28-31
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
IN 1972 INDIA PROVIDED FOR VOLUNTARY SURRENDER OF ALL DACOITS (MEMBERS OF ORGANIZED GANGS ENGAGING IN ROBBERY AND MURDER). IN RETURN, THESE MEN WERE TREATED LENIENTLY AND GIVEN REHABILITATION TRAINING. RESULTS ARE STUDIED.
Abstract
FOR CENTURIES DACOITS HAVE BEEN A THREAT TO THE LIFE AND PROPERTY OF THE PEOPLES OF INDIAN AND BURMA. IN 1972, INDIA OFFERED AMNESTY TO ALL DACOITS WHO WOULD PARTICIPATE IN A MASS SURRENDER PROGRAM. MOST WERE PLACED IN ONE OF TWO OPEN PRISONS IN THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND WERE GIVEN EXTENSIVE REHABILITATION TRAINING. THE MAINSTAY OF THIS TRAINING WAS A CLEAN, SANITARY ENVIRONMENT TO INCREASE A SENSE OF SELF-WORTH AND A CHANCE TO DEVELOP RELIABLE, TRUST-WORTHY BEHAVIOR. A SAMPLE OF 100 FORMER DACOITS IN THESE OPEN PRISONS WAS STUDIED AND A NUMBER OF ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE REHABILITATION OF DACOITS WERE TESTED. IT WAS FOUND, ACCORDING TO EXPECTATIONS, THAT OLDER DACOITS, THOSE WITH GREATER EDUCATION, AND THOSE WITH STRONGER FAMILY TIES WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFULLY REHABILITATED. HOWEVER, CONTRARY TO EXPECTATIONS, THERE WAS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN NOTORIETY OR CRIMINAL CAREER AND ADAPTATION. FORMER DACOIT CHIEFTAINS OFTEN ADAPTED WELL, WHILE STILL SHOWING STRONG LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IN MOST CASES DACOITS ENTERED THE PROFESSION FOR SHEER SURVIVAL AFTER COMMITTING SOME MURDER OR WHEN SUCH REVENGE BECAME UNAVOIDABLE FOR THEM, AND THAT HIGHER NOTORIETY OR LONGER DURATION OF DACOITY MAY BE FOR SHEER SURVIVAL RATHER THAN FOR HIGHER CRIMINAL BENT. TABLES PRESENT STUDY DATA. (GLR)