An Empirical Examination of Competing Theories in Predicting Recidivism of Adult Offenders Five Years After Graduation from Boot Camp

Abstract

This was a five-year follow-up study of recidivism of 572 male graduates of the only boot camp for adults in a southern state. The purpose was to examine competing theories in predicting recidivism among these adult males. Elements of social learning and general theoretical models were tested to determine their relative prediction of return to Department of Correction (DOC) in a 5-year follow-up study. Using a proportional hazard rate analysis, the findings indicated that, contrary to well-accepted general theories, elements of social learning theory are among the strongest predictors of recidivism, which also include early experiences such as sexual and physical abuse and personality traits like immaturity and social maladjustment. In fact, differential peer association and normative definitions are the two top predictors. Implications of these findings for revisions of theory are discussed.