Understanding Criminal Careers

<p>The study of criminal careers is of increasing interest in criminology. It is now generally recognised that it is important to try to understand criminal behaviour across the life-course rather than focusing on fragmented incidents which provide only a partial picture. This is an accessible text which clarifies the crucial theoretical and methodological debates surrounding the study of criminal careers. </p><p>It focuses on some major longitudinal studies discussing the onset, persistence, desistance and the duration of a criminal career. The important topics of prediction, risk and specialisation are addressed. The challenging question of 'When do ex-offenders become like non-offenders?' points a way forward. The book concludes by proposing an even more ambitious approach to the topic of criminal careers.</p> <p>1. Introduction 2. The Great Debate: Competing Theoretical Approaches and Methodological Issues 3. The Great Solution? The Major Longitudinal Studies 4. When Does It All Start? The Onset of a Criminal Career 5. How Long Does It Last? Persistence, Desistence and the Duration of a Criminal Career 6. Specialisation 7. Dangerousness - Prediction and Risk 8. When Do Ex-offenders Become Like Non-offenders? 9. What's Wrong With Criminal Careers? Moving Forward</p>