Victimization and Criminal Behavior in Adolescence and Adulthood

Abstract

The current paper, and the special journal issue that it introduces, focuses on one of the most enduring debates in criminology: whether individuals who break the law-either as children or adults-can change their behavior with assistance from professionals in the social service or correctional system. A key element of life-course criminology is the notion that "turning points" can be identified throughout offenders' lives that lead them toward-or turn them away from-criminality. The papers in this special issue fill many of the gaps in our knowledge in this important area. The volume includes more traditional research consistent with the "early victimization-later consequences" theme, as well as studies that explore the impact of adult life-course transitions on desistance from crime and victimization.