Offence Specialists, Specialization, and the Criminal Career
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OFFENCE SPECIALISTS, SPECIALIZATION, AND THE CRIMINAL CAREER David Hunt BGS, Simon Fraser University, 2002 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the School of Criminology O David Hunt 2004 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY July 2004 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: David Hunt Degree: Master of Arts - Criminology Title of Thesis: Offence Specialists, Specialization, and the Criminal Career Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. Paul Brantingham Professor Dr. Bill Glackman Senior Supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Ray Corrrado Supervisor Professor Dr. Irwin Cohen External Examiner Professor Department of Criminology and Justice University College of the Fraser Valley Date Approved: Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author's written permission. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada ABSTRACT This paper discusses the existence and prevalence of offence specialists among 499 male inmates at a medium security penitentiary in western Canada. The research used official prison documents. Although the offence specialist is believed to be a universally rare entity, four obstacles were identified as exaggerating this rarity: 1) plea-bargaining; 2) the vagaries of charge selection; 3) multiple offences related to a single incident; and, 4) the failure to include phased changes in offence allegiance. When these obstacles were not adjusted for, only 21 of the 499 offenders could be considered specialists. By comparison, a coding system designed to adjust for the first three obstacles found that 33 of the 499 offenders were offence specialists in the traditional sense. After the fourth obstacle was addressed by allowing for serialized changes in offence allegiance an additional 143 'non-traditional' specialists were identified. It is argued that this expanded definition remains meaningful because it involves a distinct pattern of offending, and a commitment to a patterned sequence of criminal activity that still contrasts with the criminal versatility of the offence generalist. In keeping with the general theory of crime (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990), it was expected that the specialists would distinguish themselves from generalists on measures of self-control, including: 1) prison infractions; 2) offending behaviour; 3) onset age; and, 4) criminal versatility. The findings indicate that the specialists distinguished themselves on measures of criminal versatility, but none of the other measures consistently offered statistically significant results that were compatible with the general theory of crime. iii Overall, there were 176 hmates that distinguished themselves as offence leading to the conclusions that: 1) offence specialists exist, and in greater numbers than previously found; 2) the coding system performed as expected; 3) the four identified obstacles to the investigation of specialization do have an impact; 4) these offence specialists present a challenge to the general theory of crime; and 5) there is value in the continued study of offence specialists, and offence specialization. DEDICATION To my family, Karen, Olivia, Madilyn, and Ethan. Theirs was the largest sacrifice. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The support of the Correctional Service of Canada is gratefully acknowledged in this project, however, the reported findings and their interpretation do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Correctional Service of Canada. Within the Correctional Service of Canada I would like thank Wardens Doug Black and Alex Lubimiv, and Unit Managers John Romaine B.A., B.M. and Carol Ann Reynen B.A. for enabling me to pursue my education while still working full time. Particular thanks go to Parole Officers Brad Wiens B.A., and Phil Smith B.A., who picked up the load in my absences. Outside of the correctional service, I would like to thank Provincial Court Judge the Honourable Rick Miller LL.B., Regional Deputy Crown Counsel Terry Schultes B.A., LL.B.; and defence Attorney Kevin Sneesby B.A., LL.B., for their insightful comments, and for offering generously of their time. Special thanks to defence attorney Peter Benning B.A., LL.B, B.L.C., for not only providing generously of his time and introducing me to the right people, but for taking an interest and providing insight into the topics under discussion in this report. On a more personal note, I want to thank my parents Larry and Brigitte Hunt and in laws Fred and Mary Lawrence for their support and encouragement. Similarly, I was impressed with the unselfish contribution made by Diane Lawrence who on short notice travelled some distance and spent several hours helping out. In the same vein, although she didn't have as far to travel, my wife Karen's contribution and sacrifice was equally unselfish and is measured in years rather than hours. To her I am eternally grateful. Lastly, it is imperative that I thank my supervisor, Professor B. Glackman Ph.D, R. Psych. Without his interventions and accommodation of my work schedule I would never have completed my coursework, or the thesis. TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval ..........................................................................................................................ii ... Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 111 Dedication ....................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ vi Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. x List of Tables ..................................................................................................................xi List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................... xii Chapter One - INTRODUCTION..................................................................................... 1 Background................................................................................................................. I Methodological Concerns ........................................................................................... 6 Multiple Offences Related To A Single Criminal Event ............................................ 6 The Vagaries Of Charge Selection ......................................................................... 8 Plea Bargaining ....................................................................................................8 Phased Careers, And Phased Changes In Offence Allegiance ............................... 1 Chapter Two - METHODOLOGY ................................................................................. 18 Research Design........................................................................................................ 18 Research Site and Sample .........................................................................................18 Information Gathering ................................................................................................21 Method of Investigation ...............................: .............................................................. 23 Offence Categories................................................................................................. 24 Property Offending .............................................................................................26 Robbery .............................................................................................................27 Auto Theft ..........................................................................................................27 Fraud .................................................................................................................28 Violent Offences .................................................................................................29 Sexual Offences................................................................................................ -30 Prostitution .........................................................................................................30 Arson ................................................................................................................. 31 Narcotics Offences............................................................................................