Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changing the Criminal Lifestyle

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Modelling the Criminal Lifestyle

Part of the book series: Palgrave's Frontiers in Criminology Theory ((FCRT))

  • 822 Accesses

Abstract

In this chapter I explores interventions designed to alter a criminal lifestyle. Principles derived from individuals who have changed on their own, a process known as natural recovery or unassisted change, are used to construct a model of assisted change. The three phases of lifestyle change (preparation, action, and follow-up) are outlined and then applied to the case history first introduced in Chap. 6. Three principles from nonlinear dynamical systems theory (sensitive dependence on initial conditions, bifurcation, and self-organization) figure prominently in this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2010). The psychology of criminal conduct (5th ed.). New Providence, NJ: Matthew Bender.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, D. A., & Dowden, C. (2006). Risk principle of case classification in correctional treatment: A meta-analytic investigation. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 50, 88–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1982). The psychology of chance encounters and life paths. American Psychologist, 37, 747–755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. J., & Maruschak, L. M. (2001, July). Mental health treatment in state prisons, 2000. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report (NCJ 188215). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biernacki, P. (1986). Pathways from heroin addiction: Recovery without treatment. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blasko, B. L., Friedmann, P. D., Rhodes, A. G., & Taxman, F. S. (2015). The parolee-parole officer relationship as a mediator of criminal justice outcomes. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 42, 722–740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brezina, T., & Topalli, V. (2012). Criminal self-efficacy: Exploring the correlates and consequences of a “successful criminal” identity. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 39, 1042–1062.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bush, J., Glick, B., & Taymans, J. (1997). Thinking for a change: Integrated cognitive behavior change program. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections.

    Google Scholar 

  • Center for Human Resource Research. (2009). NLSY79 user’s guide. Columbus, OH: CHRR NLS User Services, The Ohio State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cusson, M., & Pinnsoneault, P. (1986). The decision to give up crime. In D. Cornish & R. Clarke (Eds.), The reasoning criminal: Rational choice perspectives on offending (pp. 72–82). New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dowden, C., & Andrews, D. A. (1999). What works in young offender treatment: A meta-analysis. Forum on Corrections Research, 11, 21–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duwe, G., & Clark, V. (2014). The effects of prison-based educational programming on recidivism and employment. Prison Journal, 94, 454–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D. P. (2003). Developmental and life-course criminology: Key theoretical and empirical issues. Criminology, 41, 221–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Festinger, L. (1962). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folk, J. B., Disabato, D. J., Daylor, J. M., Tangney, J. P., Barboza, S., ... Holwager, J. (2016). Effectiveness of a self-administered intervention for criminal thinking: Taking a chance on change. Psychological Services, 13, 272–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedmann, P. D., Katz, E. C., Rhodes, A. G., Taxman, F. S., O’Connell, D. J., … Martin, S. S. (2008). Collaborative behavioral management for drug-involved parolees: Rationale and design of the Step’n Out study. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 47, 290‒318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garner, B. R., Knight, K., Flynn, P. M., Morey, J. T., & Simpson, D. D. (2007). Measuring offender attributes and engaging in treatment using the client evaluation of self and treatment. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34, 1113–1130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glueck, S., & Glueck, E. (1968). Delinquents and nondelinquents in perspective. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, A. P., Glick, B., & Reiner, S. (1987). Aggression Replacement Training. Champaign, IL: Research Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatcher, R. M., Palmer, E. J., McGuire, J., Hounsome, J. C., Bilby, C. A. L., & Hollin, C. R. (2008). Aggression Replacement Training with adult male offenders within community settings: A reconviction analysis. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 19, 517–532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi, T., & Gottfredson, M. (1983). Age and the explanation of crime. American Journal of Sociology, 89, 552–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hubbard, D. (2007). Getting the most out of correctional treatment: Testing the responsivity principle on male and female offenders. Federal Probation, 71(1), 2–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, M. (1998). Turning points in the lives of young inner-city men forgoing destructive criminal behaviors: A qualitative study. Social Work, 22, 143–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imel, Z. E., & Wampold, B. E. (2008). The importance of treatment and the science of common factors in psychotherapy. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology (4th ed, pp. 249–266). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inciardi, J. A., Martin, S. S., & Butzin, C. A. (2004). Five-year outcomes of therapeutic community treatment of drug involved offenders after release from prison. Crime & Delinquency, 50, 88–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karver, M. S., Handelsman, J. B., Fields, S., & Bickman, L. (2006). Meta-analysis of therapeutic relationship variables in youth and family therapy: The evidence for different relationship variables in the child and adolescent treatment outcome literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 26, 50–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koehler, J. A., Lösel, F., Akoensi, T. D., & Humphreys, D. K. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of young offender treatment programs in Europe. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 9, 19–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landenberger, N. A., & Lipsey, M. W. (2005). The positive effects of cognitive-behavioral programs for offenders: A meta-analysis of factors associated with effective treatment. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, 451–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langan, P. A., & Levin, D. J. (2002, June). Recidivism of prisoners released in 1994. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report (NCJ 193427). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latessa, E. J., & Lowenkamp, C. (2006). What works in reducing recidivism. University of St. Thomas Law Journal, 3, 521–525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laub, J. H., & Sampson, R. J. (1993). Turning points in the life course: Why change matters to the study of crime. Criminology, 31, 301–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LeBel, T. P., Burnett, R., Maruna, S., & Bushway, S. D. (2008). The “chicken and egg” of subjective and social factors in desistance from crime. European Journal of Criminology, 5, 131–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc, M., & Fréchette, M. (1989). Male criminal activity from childhood through youth: Multilevel and developmental perspectives. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M. W., Chapman, G., & Landenberger, N. A. (2001). Cognitive-behavioral programs for offenders. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 578, 144–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Little, G. L. (2005). Meta-analysis of Moral Reconation Therapy: Recidivism results from probation and parole implementations Cognitive-Behavioral. Treatment Review, 14(1/2), 14–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, G. L., & Robinson, K. D. (1986). How to escape your prison. Memphis, TN: Eagle Wing Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, C. D., Hanby, L. J., & Serin, R. C. (2014). Rehabilitation group co-participants’ risk levels are associated with offenders’ treatment performance, treatment change, and recidivism. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82, 298–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., Farrington, D. P., & Petechuk, D. (2013, July). From juvenile delinquency to young adult offending. Final Report, NCJ 242931, http://nij.ncjrs.gov/publications.

  • Lorenz, E. (1979, December). Predictability: Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas? Paper p resented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenkamp, C. T., Hubbard, D., Makarios, M. D., & Latessa, E. J. (2009). A quasi-experimental evaluation of Thinking for a Change: A “real-world” application. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36, 137–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowenkamp, C. T., Pealer, J., Smith, P., & Latessa, E. J. (2006). Adhering to the risk and need principles: Does it matter for supervision-based programs? Federal Probation, 70(3), 3–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loza, W. (2005). Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ): A tool for assessing violent and nonviolent recidivism. Toronto, Canada: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mace, C. (Ed.). (1996). The art and science of assessment in psychotherapy. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maruna, S. (2001). Making good: How ex-convicts reform and build their lives. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Books.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • McLellan, A. T., Kushner, H., Metzger, D., Peters, R., Smith, I., & Grissom, G. (1992). The fifth edition of the Addiction Severity Index. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 9, 199–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meier, P. S., Barrowclough, C., & Donmall, M. C. (2005). The role of the therapeutic alliance in the treatment of substance misuse: A critical review of the literature. Addiction, 100, 304–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and family therapy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, O., & Harrell, A. (2006). Evaluation of the Breaking the Cycle Demonstration Project: Jacksonville, FL and Tacoma, WA. Journal of Drug Issues, 36, 97–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paternoster, R., & Bushway, S. D. (2009). Desistance and the feared self: Toward an identity theory of desistance. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 99, 1103–1156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paternoster, R., Bachman, R., Kerrison, E., O’Connell, D., & Smith, L. (2016). Desistance from crime and identity: An empirical test with survival time. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 43, 1204–1224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, F. S., Lipton, D. S., Cleland, C. M., & Yee, D. S. (2002). The effects of behavioral/cognitive-behavioral programs on recidivism. Crime & Delinquency, 48, 476–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peele, S. (1998). Ten radical things NIAAA research shows about alcoholism. The Addictions Newsletter, 5(2), 6, 17–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocque, M., Posick, C., & Paternoster, R. (2016). Identities through time: An exploration of identity change as a cause of desistance. Justice Quarterly, 33, 45–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, R. R., & Fabiano, E. A. (1985). Time to think: A cognitive model of delinquency prevention and offender rehabilitation. Johnson City, TN: Institute of Social Sciences and Arts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samenow, S. (2014). Inside the criminal mind (rev ed.). New York: Broadway Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (1993). Crime in the making. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (2016). Turning points and future of life-course criminology: Reflections on the 1986 criminal careers report. Journal of Research in Crime and Dellinquency, 53, 321–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmucker, M., & Lösel, F. (2015). The effects of sexual offender treatment on recidivism: An international meta-analysis of sound quality evaluations. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 11, 597–630.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shover, N. (1996). Great pretenders: Pursuits and careers of persistent thieves. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommers, I., Baskin, D., & Fagan, J. (1994). Getting out of the life: Crime desistance among female street offenders. Deviant Behavior, 15, 125–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spiegler, M. D., & Guevremont, D. C. (2016). Contemporary behavior therapy (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tong, L. S. J., & Farrington, D. P. (2006). How effective is the “Reasoning and Rehabilitation” programme in reducing reoffending? A meta-analysis of evaluations in four countries. Psychology, Crime & Law, 12, 3–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Stouwe, T., Asscher, J. J., Stams, G. J. J. M., Dekovíc, M., & van der Laan, P. H. (2014). The effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy (MST); A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 34, 468–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visher, C. A., Winterfield, L., & Coggeshall, M. B. (2005). Ex-offender employment programs and recidivism: A meta-analysis. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, 295–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (1995). The Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles: Part I. Reliability and initial validity. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 22, 307–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (1998a). Changing lives of crime and drugs: Intervening with the substance abusing criminal offender. Chichester, England: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (1998b). Planning for change: An alternative to treatment planning with sexual offenders. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 24, 217‒229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2000). Spontaneous remission from alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse: Seeking quantitative answers to qualitative questions. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 26, 443‒460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2009). The differential impact of anger management training on proactive and reactive criminal thinking. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 8, 214‒217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2012). Crime in a psychological context: From career criminals to criminal careers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2014). Applying CBT to the criminal thought process. In R. C. Tafrate & D. Mitchell (Eds.), Forensic CBT: A handbook for clinical practice (pp. 104‒121). Chichester, England: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2015). Early childhood temperament, maternal monitoring, reactive criminal thinking, and the origin(s) of low self-control. Journal of Criminal Justice, 43, 369‒376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2016a). Breaking the Cycle Demonstration Project: Using a quasi-experimental analysis to test the “worst of both worlds” hypothesis and risk principle. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 12, 127‒141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2016b). Proactive criminal thinking, cold heartedness, and counselor rapport in correctional clients participating in substance abuse treatment. Personality and Individual Differences, 98, 239‒243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2016c). The working alliance between substance abusing offenders and their parole officers and counselors: Its impact on outcome and role as a mediator. Journal of Crime and Justice, 39, 421‒437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (in press). Effect of a brief cognitive behavioural intervention on criminal thinking and prison misconduct in male inmates: Variable-oriented and person-oriented analyses. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D., & Morgan, R. D. (2017). Assessing criminal thought content: Development and preliminary validation of the Criminal Thought Content Inventory (CTCI). Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, S. T., Clark, M. D., Gingerich, R., & Meltzer, M. L. (2007). Motivating offenders to change: A guide for probation and parole (NIC #022253). Washington, DC: National Institute of Corrections.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, C. D., Douglas, K. S., Eaves, D., & Hart, S. D. (1997). HCR-20: Assessing risk for violence (Version 2). Burnaby, BC, Canada: Simon Fraser University, Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, D. B., Bouffard, L. A., & MacKenzie, D. L. (2005). A quantitative review of structured, group-oriented, cognitive-behavioral programs for offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 32, 172–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, USA

    Glenn D. Walters

Authors
  1. Glenn D. Walters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glenn D. Walters .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Walters, G.D. (2017). Changing the Criminal Lifestyle. In: Modelling the Criminal Lifestyle . Palgrave's Frontiers in Criminology Theory. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57771-5_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57771-5_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-57770-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-57771-5

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation