NCJ Number
86836
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1983) Pages: 33-46
Date Published
1983
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Using interactionist and sociology or work perspectives, this study analyzed the criminal careers of 20 armed robbers in Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
Indepth interviews were held with the subjects to trace their entrance into an armed robbery career, ascertain their objectives in pursuing this type of career, identify the organizational and technical dimensions in the preparation and execution of armed robbery, and obtain their views on the positive and negative consequences of this kind of work. Results indicate that Sutherland's model of the professional robber, which appeared to exist in Montreal in the 1950's and 1960's, has disappeared. Today's armed robbers are habitual petty criminals who commit a string of incidental robberies without specialization and professional discipline, and are highly likely to get caught. Moreover, unlike true occupational work, the perpetration of criminal acts does not constitute a full-time commitment. The concept of criminal phases may be more appropriate than that of criminal careers in describing a criminal involvement which is sporadic and zigzags between illicit and legal means of attempting to reach one's objectives. A total of 47 footnotes are given.