Family and peer association among first time and repeated male offenders-A comparative study

Abstract

The present study compares repeated and first time male offenders in the hope of better understanding repeated offenders. For the purpose we have focused two criminogenic needs such as peer association and family support. The study adopted a quantitative research method, using the descriptive survey design. The sample for the study consisted of 100 first time male offenders and 100 repeated male offenders from the Kerala state. Stratified random sampling method was used to collect the data with the help of ORAS CST tool developed by the University of Cincinnati. Two hypotheses were framed for the study and analysed using chi-square test. The result showed that On the whole majority of the sample studies had moderate to high levels of family and social support. In peer association, repeated offenders had higher levels of association than first time offenders. Repeated and first time offenders did not differ significantly in their extent of family and social support