NCJ Number
188958
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 577-580
Date Published
May 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines explanations from 69 incarcerated violent male offenders for their criminal behavior.
Abstract
The article examines the extent to which subjects' explanations changed with the passing of time and with change in context. Explanations of impaired internal control increased with the passing of time, and such explanation was given more often to mental health professionals than to law enforcement professionals. With the passing of time, subjects tended to give mental health professionals fewer explanations involving external control. The study observed that lengthy time under confinement per se did not result in subjects verbalizing full responsibility for their criminal behavior. To the extent that verbalizing unqualified responsibility for one's criminal behavior indicates acceptance of moral responsibility and ultimate rehabilitation, it appears that lengthy incarceration by itself does not result in substantial rehabilitation. To summarize, male incarcerated violent offenders changed the manner in which they explained their crimes according to when they were asked, and according to who asked them. Tables, references