Why are people repeat offenders?

[steppinthrax]

I'm curious as to the psychological aspect to this. I myself have never committed a heinous crime other than simple traffic infractions (years ago).

I have came across people, especially a relative in the family that has a repeat-ability in committing crime. What I don't understand is that she seems to have a "lack of embarrassment" about her actions. Or even a high concern that she needs to be a little more careful. She's had repeated traffic offenses with drunk driving, probation violations, debt that goes to court etc.

In my mind, I would feel really bad for myself if I had even one of these on my record. I would be concern that it would cause issues with my job, issues with how people view me etc.... But she has a kinda nonchalant view of it and thinks it's no big deal.

She had a drunk driving charge about a year ago, got another speeding ticket, which became a parole violation, lost her job recently and she lies to me saying she got another job. But in actuality she was fired from her last job because they found out about the drunk driving charge that she concealed from them.

 

[cbrunny]

If everyone cared about what the rules are there'd be no need for enforcement.

Stupid is as stupid does.

 

[steppinthrax]

If everyone cared about what the rules are there'd be no need for enforcement.

Stupid is as stupid does.

I understand the concept that there will always be crime. This is not what I'm really asking.

 

[cbrunny]

The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. It stands to reason that those that commit crimes are more likely to commit crimes than those that do not. That's all I'm saying.

 

[steppinthrax]

Forgot to add, my exception to all of this is if a reasonable person commits a crime for the first time with no previous offenses. External extenuating circumstances drove them to commit the crime. Circumstances that any reasonable person would have been driven to. They have remorse for their consequences.

Example, I knew a guy who had public drunkenness when they were 18. They are in their 60's now and that was the only crime they have committed in their life.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Assuming there is no compulsion, or mental illness, in many cases they simply don't know what else to do, so they play the odds.

If you dealt drugs for 10 years, then went to prison, and got out a few years later, would you have any marketable skills are other ways to make money? Would anyone be willing to hire you, as an ex felon? Or would you find yourself in a situation where your best option for putting a roof over your head, was selling drugs? I mean, Hell, you only got caught once after doing it for 10 years. What's the worst that could happen?

 

[Murloc]

I guess that once you break the rules and see that you're still alive, you get used to it?

There also is the whole school-to-prison pipeline theory that is based on this IIRC.

 

[deustroop]

Does it matter that the bahaviour is wrong or has non conformist tendencies ? I think change of behaviour is difficult to train in all cases. The subject goes naturally with what they know, then with what they like, then with what's right. See, compliance is the last thing, and its easiest not to get there.
Upbringing is the most influential education we get. They say you are you by age 7. By the time you have to talk about it, the life is a long way back.

 

[steppinthrax]

Does it matter that the bahaviour is wrong or has non conformist tendencies ? I think change of behaviour is difficult to train in all cases. The subject goes naturally with what they know, then with what they like, then with what's right. See, compliance is the last thing, and its easiest not to get there.
Upbringing is the most influential education we get. They say you are you by age 7. By the time you have to talk about it, the life is a long way back.

Drunk driving and debt are not simply non-conformist, one of those violations can harm the lives of innocent by standards. If you get drunk and kill someone, this is beyond a simple non-conformist.

 

[pete6032]

If you dealt drugs for 10 years, then went to prison, and got out a few years later, would you have any marketable skills are other ways to make money?

Motivated, entrepreneurial, self-starter with 10+ years of customer service experience.

 

[KMFJD]

Motivated, entrepreneurial, self-starter with 10+ years of customer service experience.

 

[deustroop]

He didn't mention " stupid with a great sense of humour".

 

[ImpulsE69]

Many of you are looking at it from a very narrow scope. It goes WAY beyond crime, but every day actions. It's chemical, it's the easy way, people don't like change, it's instinctual. It takes great will power to not do something that you are used to doing (or doing something you aren't used to doing). Our minds will rationalize why it is OK to continue down the same path or give up on the difficult path and take the easy path. It all depends on the scenario. In some cases some people can just stop, others it isn't so easy. You have to want to stop, to stop. (or vice versa).

 

[BurnItDwn]

people repeat offend because it's not easy to change habits.
In the US, where prison appears to be about useless "punishment" .... people get out and commit more crimes because prison in the US does very little to rehabilitate the person.

In countries where rehabilitation is the only goal, the recidivism rate is MUCH MUCH lower.

 

[Ketchup]

In my mind, I would feel really bad for myself if I had even one of these on my record. I would be concern that it would cause issues with my job, issues with how people view me etc.....

That's the difference. You were brought up to think there is someone wrong with committing a crime. These people are not, don't care, and will do anything they need to do to get what the want again. In their minds, the only people that did something wrong are the people who caught them/punished them. They do not care about anyone other than themselves.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I always wondered this too. I think it's partially a psychological thing and probably just a lack of caring. Some people just don't care about embarrassment or arn't scared of jail, etc. For some it's a habit or addiction. Some people are actually addicted to the idea of shoplifting, it's like a thrill. Almost like drugs.

I had a friend when I was a kid who would sometimes steal stuff from me, like lego or k'nex parts, or electrical stuff (I used to like playing with this stuff as a kid).

I'd later on go to his house and we'd be playing and I'd find stuff that was mine that he stole. I'd call him out for it and he'd let me have it back. Like he had no care in the world about the idea that he stole from me, or the fact that I just caught him. He'd still try again later.

Fast forward to college years, I had not talked to him in a long time but he contacted me at some point to see how I was doing and stuff. So he came to my (parent's) house and we hanged out a few times. On new year's eve when we were all gone from the house he came to steal a bunch of computer parts. So his childhood theft of small things turned into full blown B&Es - even friends' houses. He was eventually charged for breaking into a whole bunch of other houses too, did jail time and everything.

People like that just don't seem to change.

The jail system also does not help. Instead of trying to rehabilitate criminals we just revenge them and ruin a big chunk of their lives. When they come out, they have nothing, and they can't get a job. The only thing they know is crime.

 

[Mayne]

some people are born without a moral compass. They just don't feel any guilt about ruining other people's lives.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I'm curious as to the psychological aspect to this. I myself have never committed a heinous crime other than simple traffic infractions (years ago).

I have came across people, especially a relative in the family that has a repeat-ability in committing crime. What I don't understand is that she seems to have a "lack of embarrassment" about her actions. Or even a high concern that she needs to be a little more careful. She's had repeated traffic offenses with drunk driving, probation violations, debt that goes to court etc.

In my mind, I would feel really bad for myself if I had even one of these on my record. I would be concern that it would cause issues with my job, issues with how people view me etc.... But she has a kinda nonchalant view of it and thinks it's no big deal.

She had a drunk driving charge about a year ago, got another speeding ticket, which became a parole violation, lost her job recently and she lies to me saying she got another job. But in actuality she was fired from her last job because they found out about the drunk driving charge that she concealed from them.

Probably because she has broken the law hundreds of times and a few convictions still means she comes out ahead.

 

[BoomerD]

Because SOME of us learn things slowly...or never at all.

I have a pretty extensive felony record...and a MUCH longer FBI rap sheet.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I think your question may be valid if you're talking about someone committing crimes like assault or armed robbery, where they've been convicted and spent time in prison. Why would they chance losing their freedom again, likely for an even longer period for the next offense?

But drunk driving is rooted in an addiction problem. Not quite the same thing.

 

[slayer202]

this is the dumbest thread I have ever seen on any message board in my entire life

 

[BoomerD]

this is the dumbest thread I have ever seen on any message board in my entire life

In spite of your post count and join date, you must be brand new to the intarwebs. I mean...this doesn't even scratch the surface of the "Top 100 stupidest threads on ATOT."

Oh...and if you think THIS thread is stupid...I'd highly recommend you avoid P&N or L&R.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Bootleggers, moonshiners were just trying to make a living just like drug dealers of today. Many people both rural and in the city would be homeless if they didn't have some sort of "illegal" activity going on. Meth, alcohol, weed, running a crap game, cutting hair, etc. There aren't that many jobs in Appalachia or Baltimore City. It's a matter of economics. So, you have to take your lumps and you move on. Look at prostitutes for a good example. Stupid law stops them from being taxed, regulated, and protected. Landlord still has his hand out for the rent, jail or no jail.

 

[JEDI]

Because SOME of us learn things slowly...or never at all.

I have a pretty extensive felony record...and a MUCH longer FBI rap sheet.

was this b4 u got your union job as a big crane operator?

 

[Charmonium]

People who have criminal life styles - IOW, make a living via crime - generally have an inability to foresee the likely consequences of their actions. And it doesn't matter how many times they're convicted or go to jail. When the time comes that they have to decide do I do this or do I not, they will still choose to do because they don't believe they're going to caught.

That's why the death penalty doesn't work. No ever thinks they're going to go to the gallows or get a lethal injection. And beyond that, they're never looking that far ahead. Something like the death penalty assumes you have rational actors who will act in their own best interest. But if you can't foresee that by doing X you're likely to get caught and go to jail, then it doesn't seem like much of a choice and you do whatever promises a short term reward even though long term there might be dire consequences.

I'm sure there are some people who understand the potential consequences and decide to play the odds. Those types of criminals probably are rational actors, at least to some extent. But that's not typical of most people in prison.