This work describes a large-scale retrospective study of the psychological antecedents of criminal recidivism. Previous work has shown that a variety of measures can predict recidivism, but does little to elucidate what actually happens when an experienced offender reoffends after release from prison. In contrast, this study proceeds from the perspective that criminal actions are the result of ongoing psychological processes, and that they can be understood better in this context. Over 300 serious male criminal offenders were interviewed and tested after they returned to prison for new crimes, and were asked about their problems, emotions, thoughts and behaviour prior to reoffending. The results show a broad range of differences between the recidivists and a comparison group of ex-offenders surviving in the community. Moreover, the antecedents for recidivism differed according to the type of new offense, indicating how experiential and environmental details may direct the course of recidivism.

This book is the report of a collaborative effort. Frank Porporino and I arrived at the starting point for our work together by very different routes. Originally trained as an experimental psychologist, I had become in creasingly restive within the confines of the laboratory, and spent a sab batical year in the equivalent of a clinical internship. I then spent some time as a part-time consultant in a local penitentiary. Most of my time in the institution was spent with inmates with a variety of problems, probably about 50 individuals over the course of a year. Although this was far fewer than a full-time psychologist in the system might encounter, it served as a quick cram course on problem prisoners and prisoner problems. Very quickly my stereotypes about convicts were shown to be virtually useless. I learned that the criminal classes included all levels of society, and that the behavior of prisoners was the same as that of other human beings in a difficult environment.

This book addresses how and why criminal offenders repeat their actions after being released from prison. It is part of an attempt to explain criminal behavior within the context of a contemporary psychological understanding of behavior, rather than more traditional theories of crime. Over 300 male criminal "repeat offenders" were interviewed and tested. The results indicate that their new offenses may be the result of something like a "breakdown." This report, written for a general audience, has important implications for release supervision, rehabilitation programs, and the prediction of recidivism.