NCJ Number
75851
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 8 Issue: 5 Dated: (1980) Pages: 317-325
Date Published
1981
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A stratified random sample of 33 female robbers incarcerated at the Florida Correctional Institute (FCI) was selected and interviewed in order to determine characteristics and develop a preliminary typology of the female robber.
Abstract
Selected on the basis of content analyses of their offense scenarios, 33 female robbers at FCI were interviewed to gather information on family background, social milieu, psychological, physical and demographic characteristics, criminal career, and attitudes toward criminality. The resultant data were analyzed along six dimensions: age, race, education, juvenile record, nature of planning for offense, and presence of substance use during offense. The findings indicated that the majority of the sample was black, under 30, of average intelligence, and single. The female robber was typically found to operate with an accomplice, use a firearm, and be motivated by a desire for financial gain. A preliminary typology that included two major categories, situational robbers and career robbers, was developed. In the case of the 15 situational robbers, the circumstances that led to the robbery were external to the offender and involved a set of pressures or cues that resulted in the commission of the offense. No evidence indicated a commitment to robbery as a continuing behavior pattern, as attested by the lack of an extensive criminal record. On the other hand, the offenses committed by the 18 career robbers were part of an internalized and continuing pattern of criminal activities. The offenders in the group actively and intentionally participated in one or more phases of an offense (e.g., planning, perpetration, escape, and concealment). All of these offenders had extensive prior criminal records with a history of robbery. The similarity of this study data to findings of other female offender studies contributes to a basis for more extensive research. Provided are 4 tables and 10 references. (Author abstract modified).