Administrative Control of Criminal Careers

Abstract

Parole boards attempt control of criminal careers through actions grounded upon selected pieces of information. This empirical longitudinal study examines the theoretical and administrative implications of information provided by a sociopath typology. Criminal history records of sociopathic and nonsociopathic felons were examined for evidence of career adjustments over an 11-year period. Results show that Hostile sociopaths had the highest risk of conviction while Nonsociopaths had the lowest conviction risk. Although data analysis is not yet complete, the findings indicate that as a single indicator the sociopath typology provides parole boards more decision-making and control value than almost any other variable.