Citation

McMurran M, Hollin CR. Br. J. Criminol. 1989; 29(4): 386-394.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The results are reported of a survey of the drinking habits of 100 young offenders in an English young offenders' centre. High levels of both drinking and delinquency were found. The pattern of results suggested that where drinking and delinquency are functionally related, the drinking can be an antecedent to the commission of the delinquent act, or it can be a consequence of the crime. Within the age range of the sample (15-21 years), age was not related to any of the findings. In other words, the same degree of involvement between drinking and delinquency was evident for younger and older offenders. Importantly, it was reaffirmed that a substantial proportion of young, offenders with drink-related problems are open to suggestions of intervention. A number of points and suggestions are made towards capitalizing on this willingness to change.