Is the saying 'once a criminal, always a criminal' true?

False

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by Mark Waybill

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The saying 'once a criminal, always a criminal' is preposterous and generalized. It is like saying 'once a year one student, always a year one student'. The saying is not entirely without meaning or truth behind it, as indeed in many cases one who commits a crime will continue to commit crimes and become a hardened criminal, but saying that all individuals do this is silly.

Firstly there are a number of different reasons why people commit crimes, not just a single reason. This is not one of those old cartoons where villains openly declare they are evil and laugh maniacally. This is reality. And as such there are a whole host of various motivations for criminal activity.

Also different types of crimes are committed, and some have a higher recurring rate than others. For instance if you rob a bank once you are less likely to re-offend than if you drink drive or shoplift, as the former crime is much harder and the reward much greater. Also let us not forget that many criminals do turn over a new leaf.

One has to examine criminals individually to get a feeling as to whether they will re-offend. It is up to various local variables, and quite often has a lot to do with the criminals social status or demographic. Those criminals who come from background where crime is rife are more likely to re-offend than those who come from well to do neighbourhoods and families, as they will know that getting away with crime is possible, and will often have friends or family who are criminals.

Those people who commit an offence are no more likely to re-offend than those who do not, as even the most angelic people will have some situation that could arise in which they would resort to committing a criminal act. Also many people have little or no choice. Some people come from backgrounds where crime is common and would be socially in a worse position if they reformed. Some rely upon crime to maintain their lifestyle, such as drug addicts, and some to maintain their existence, such as a shoplifting homeless person.

It is thus a nonsensical over generalization to suppose that 'once a criminal, always a criminal' is true in all cases, but in some there is a higher chance of re-offending than in others, as is the case with the more hardened criminals who have had more experience committing crimes and are tough enough to withstand punishment without being affected by it.

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