Social and Economic Aspects of Theft

• NCJ Number: 72498
• Journal: Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1980) Pages: 100-105
• Author(s): J V Jeyasingh
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: India

Annotation

A sample of 72 offenders randomly drawn from four native districts of India was studied to determine the hereditary, economical, sociological, psychological, and geographical factors of theft causation. and geographical factors of theft causation.

Abstract

Younger age levels were found to be more conducive to criminal behavior, with 47.4 percent falling between the ages of 30 and 39, years and 36.4 percent of the sample falling between the ages of 20 and 29 years. Individual social status appeared to be somewhat important with respect to the Indian case system, the Thevar caste people proved to exhibit somewhat more aggressive behavior than others and to be involved in violent acts, while the more backward castes (Nadar, Pillai, Naidu, and Sourstra) seem to be inclined to commit theft. Poor education appears to be a supporting factor to committing theft, together with poverty, poor income, and unemployment. Moreover, recidivism was greater among the property offenders. Disorganized families, broken families, and otherwise uncongenial family atmosphere were shown to be in keeping with offenders' criminal backgrounds. In the case of criminal intent, 44.2 percent had been induced by their friends, 18.3 percent by their relatives, 9.5 percent by their neighbors, 5.6 for the sake of adventure, and 22.4 percent for an inner urge. Thus, friendship appears to be the prime motivating factor. Also, vices appeared to be conducive to theft. To prevent recidivism, subjects suggested more efficient aftercare services, financial assistance to start businesses or small scale industries, police enquiries before arrest, and intensive moral and religious training in prisons. Findings also pointed to the need for compulsory education, vocational training, wage regularization for the poor, censorship of films that encourage theft, and proper resocialization efforts on the part of both prisons and probation programs. Several tables and 10 references are provided.