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SALEM UNIVERSITY, LOKOJA

COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

BY: ISIAKA HARUNA

INTRODUCTION

Criminal behavior is often a difficult topic to discuss, as there are many different variables that
must be taken into account in order to truly define and obtain a thorough understanding of the
concept
...
Criminal behaviors that lead offenders to recidivate are often called “risk factors”
or “criminogenic needs” (National Institution of Corrections & Services)
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These needs are traits associated with criminal thinking and behavior
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There are several factors related to increasing risk and
criminality related to individuals exhibiting criminogenic traits; however, there is an identified
beginning to criminal behavior, and it starts with biology and genetics
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Many people would be surprised to hear that criminal
behavior can be broken down and identified as early as conception
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“Genes even help shape the environment
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Genes can define an individual’s ability to control
temperament, impulsivity, low self-esteem, and a lack of empathy
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“When the faces of sisters and brothers in a family
resemble those of their parents, physical inheritance has clearly played a role in the clustering of
physical characteristics within the family” (Miller & Carroll, 2006)
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Some of those psychological characteristics include genes

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that are directly associated with substance abuse, which can often lead to increased negative
criminal behavior
...
I am not so naïve to think that we can change
everyone; however, I do believe we can change those that may simply be tired of the system, or
are ambivalent about whether they want to change
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The best practice for achieving potential
success is by using a combination of resources that are now being implemented by many
agencies across the nation
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This calculates the likelihood an individual will commit
additional crime based on various factors such as prior criminal history, marital status, age, a
history of drug or alcohol abuse, employment and educational history, as well as financial status
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These assessment tools are accurate, and can even break down the
probability to identify the risk of re-arrest within a six month period
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While assessing risk can assist probation officers in learning how to monitor an individual, it is
only a small part of an algebraic equation that can be used to help change the criminal mindset
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As discussed
earlier, these are traits that a person possesses that can lead to criminal behavior
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One study found a person could possess up to eight traits,

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while others identified that a person can possess up to six
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It includes criminal rationalization or the belief that their
criminal behavior was justified
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Criminal Peers

Individuals with this trait often have peers that are associated with criminal activities
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Peer influence often persuades
the individual to engage in criminal behavior
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Anti-social personality

These traits often include atypical behavior conducted prior to the age of fifteen and can include,
running away, skipping school, fighting, possessing weapons, lying, stealing and damage to
either animals or property
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An individual’s family lacks the ability to problem solve and often is unable to
communicate effectively
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More often than not, they are also involved with criminal activity
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People that carry this trait
often do things that they didn’t plan, and will fail to think before acting
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Substance abuse
The use of drugs or alcohol that significantly affect one’s ability to engage in a successful and
productive lifestyle
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A normal assessment process can take approximately sixty day to complete; any more or less can
lead to inaccurate results that may be skewed
...

In Part II of this article, we will discuss some possible ways to enhance motivation, in addition to
identifying a few of the appropriate methods of addressing accountability to ensure compliance
with court ordered sanctions
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The State becomes involved because governing entities can become
convinced that the costs of not criminalizing (through allowing the harms to continue unabated)
outweigh the costs of criminalizing it (restricting individual liberty, for example, to minimize
harm to others)
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

The victims may only want compensation for the injuries suffered, while remaining
indifferent to a possible desire for deterrence
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Even
in policed societies, fear may inhibit from reporting incidents or from co-operating in a
trial
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[17] Garoupa &
Klerman (2002) warn that a rent-seeking government has as its primary motivation to
maximize revenue and so, if offenders have sufficient wealth, a rent-seeking government
will act more aggressively than a social-welfare-maximizing government in enforcing
laws against minor crimes (usually with a fixed penalty such as parking and routine
traffic violations), but more laxly in enforcing laws against major crimes
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CONCEPT OF CRIME
In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority
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[3] The most
popular view is that crime is a category created by law; in other words, something is a crime if
declared as such by the relevant and applicable law
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Such acts are forbidden and punishable by
law
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[5] What
precisely is a criminal offence is defined by criminal law of each country
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The state (government) has the power to severely restrict one's liberty for committing a crime
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If found
guilty, an offender may be sentenced to a form of reparation such as a community sentence, or,
depending on the nature of their offence, to undergo imprisonment, life imprisonment or, in
some jurisdictions, execution
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[4]

While every crime violates the law, not every violation of the law counts as a crime
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References
Kaiser, B
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(2010, October 25)
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Retrieved

November

3,

2013,

from

Education
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education
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J
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(2005)
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Cincinnati, OH: Division of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati
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, & Carroll, K
...
Rethinking Substance Abuse
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National Institution of Corrections, U
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, & Services, M
...
(n
...
tools of the trade, a guide to
incorporating science into practice

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