NCJ Number
59003
Journal
BRA (BROTTSFOREBYGGANDE RODET) - APROPA Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 30-35
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
RESPONSES OF 101 SWEDISH INMATES TO INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ON LIFE STYLE PREFERENCES AND DESIRABLE ASPECTS OF LIFE REVEAL THAT THEY PERCEIVE TRADITIONAL FAMILY LIFE AND ROLES AS POSITIVE BUT LACKING IN EXCITEMENT.
Abstract
THE PRISONERS WERE ASKED IF THEY WOULD RATHER LIVE A MORE 'SVENSSON-LIKE LIFE' (AN AVERAGE, TRADITIONAL LIFE) THAN THAT THEY NOW LIVE. NEARLY HALF ANSWERED 'YES' TO THE INQUIRY, AND WHEN PROBED FURTHER, INDICATED THAT ELEMENTS OF THE 'SVENSSON-LIKE LIFE' INCLUDED A JOB, A FAMILY, SECURITY AND CLOSE FRIENDS, A HOBBY OR FREE-TIME INTEREST, ETC. FUTHERMORE, THE MAJORITY PERCEIVED JOBS AND FAMILIES INCLUDING CHILDREN AS DESIRABLE ASPECTS THAT GIVE MORE MEANING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, PERCEIVED THE TYPE OF WORK THAT THE AVERAGE 'SVENSSON' DOES AS BORING, MEANINGLESS, AND DEAD-ENDED. IN FACT, THE OVERALL MOST COMMON AND DETERMINED COMPLAINT MADE BY INMATES CONCERNING THE AVERAGE PERSON'S LIFE IS THAT IT LACKS INTEREST, EXCITEMENT, AND INDIVIDUALITY. MOREOVER, WHEN DISCUSSING REASONS FOR COMMITTING CRIMES, 70 PERCENT OF THE INMATES UNDER 24 YEARS OF AGE AND 38 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL INTERVIEWED NAMED 'EXCITEMENT' AS A MAJOR MOTIVE. A FEW WERE PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS, AND MANY SEEMED TO BE FORCED BY THE DESIRE TO OWN MATERIAL GOODS. THE RESPONSES SUGGEST THAT RELEASEES NEED MORE THAN LIVING QUARTERS, A JOB, AND A DECENT INCOME; THEY WILL NEED AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE THAT THEY PERCEIVE AS POSITIVE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)