Developmental Theories and the Challenge for the 21st Century

Empirical research on developmental theories of crime first informed us that increase in social capital such as quality marriages, jobs orfirst time fatherhood would lead toward desistance, except among men who were substance abusers. However, the men in this notable work by Robert Sampson and John Laub were based on a cohort who came of age during World War two.

While this seemed disheartening for those of us who hoped for social policies that might facilitate such attachment policies, at least in the United States where the incarceration mania continued until recently. Now new re-entry policies have begun to lead to de-carceration movements around the country. While this is laudable, job creation and treatment programs also must be created to facilitate successful re-entry. The neighborhoods some of these form felons may not increase but rather decrease their social capital.