NCJ Number
60744
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 85-94
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A GENERAL EXAMINATION OF BURGLARY AND THE PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL, THIS PAPER INCLUDES A CASE STUDY OF A PROFESSIONAL BURGLAR AND STATES THAT BURGLARY FOLLOWS PATTERNS OUTLINED IN THEORETICAL LITERATURE.
Abstract
BURGLARY IS NOT A VIOLENT CRIME AND IS COMMITTED AGAINST RESIDENTIAL AREAS MORE THAN AGAINST COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS. IT REPRESENTS A FINANCIAL LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY AND IS A CRIME THAT IS INCREASING, ESPECIALLY DAYLIGHT RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES. A PROFILE OF A BURGLAR SHOWS A WHITE MALE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE. HIS CHANCES OF BEING APPREHENDED AND CONVICTED ARE FEW. HE IS A PROFESSIONAL WHO ENJOYS THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF HIS COLLEAGUES. HE HAS THE DESIRE TO SUCCEED AS WELL AS THE TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE MANY. HIS PROFESSION IS PROFITABLE AND RISKS ARE MINIMAL. THE PAPER EXAMINES THE COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO A COLLEGE CLASS IN CORRECTIONS OF ONE SUCH PROFESSIONAL BURGLAR, RONNIE. HIS CAREER PATTERN WAS FOUND TO ADHERE CLOSELY TO THE CYCLICAL PATTERN ON BURGLARY AS HE HAD NEEDS THAT COULD BE SATISFIED THROUGH SUCCESSFUL BURGLARY AND HAD ACQUIRED BURGLARY SKILLS. THE PAPER CONCLUDES THAT SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL THEFT IS DEPENDENT UPON DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION FOR SKILL TRAINING AND VALUE REINFORCEMENT; I. E., OPPORTUNITY OR PLACES TO BURGLARIZE, AND A NETWORK OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. REFERENCES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)