Determinants of the Recidivist Analysis Personality Analyzed in Light of the Results of Criminological Research (From International Center for Comparative Criminology, V 2 - The Criminal Personality, P 65-70, 1977, Alice Parizeau, ed. - See NCJ-70503)

• NCJ Number: 70507
• Author(s): Z Ostrihenska
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: French
• Country: Canada
• Note: Paper presented at conference held at Warsaw (Poland) in 1976.

Annotation

The results of Polish studies on the personalities of recidivists are summarized.

Abstract

Older recidivists are more likely than younger ones to have committed their first offenses under the age of 18. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with many of the cases. As the recidivism rate of the group analyzed grows, the proportion of persons in the group with personality problems also increases, which explains difficulties in rehabilitating such groups. The number of recidivists in the 26 to 35 year old category without psychopathological symptoms is only 10 to 20 percent. Recidivists are usually individuals who are isolated from their social environment and feel animosity toward their families, coupled with a profound sense of guilt. Repeating offenders tend to be passive, desirous of immediate gratification, aggressive and impulsive, and unable to understand consequences of their crimes or to exert systematic effort. These characteristics are responsible for the aggressive character of crimes, lack of motivation to cease abusing alcohol, and insufficient perseverance in abandoning a detrimental lifestyle. Records indicate that in their juvenile years recidivists experienced scholastic difficulties, did not acquire professional training, and began drinking heavily. Imprisonment affects recidivists negatively because it causes aggressiveness to grow, weakens family ties, and reinforces contacts with corrupt social elements. --in French.