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How prison teaches some to be better criminals

“Spending time in prison leads to increased criminal earnings,” Hutcherson says. “On average, a person can make roughly $11,000 more [illegally] from spending time in prison versus a person who does not spend time in prison.”

As to the process by which this happens, he says, “You come in [to prison]. You’re 16, 17, 18 years old. You’re looking around and you’re thinking, ‘Listen, I can learn from these seasoned veterans.’ And that’s exactly what you do. … Basically, you are spending a lot of time around other criminals, seasoned veterans who know the lay of the land, and they can teach you the mechanisms — ways to get away with crime.”

Because the study looks at averages, it’s important to note that Hutcherson isn’t saying that all criminals come out of prison primed to become bigger criminals. Lots of people, obviously, come out determined to lead law-abiding lives.

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Well duh, prison is like a 10-20 year (less for good behavior) seminar on crime.

James on February 1, 2013 at 5:04 PM

Old news. Is there anyone who doesn’t know this is the case?

Mitoch55 on February 1, 2013 at 5:11 PM

you are spending a lot of time around other criminals, seasoned veterans who know the lay of the land, and they can teach you the mechanisms — ways to get away with crime.”

If I was looking for advice on how to get away with crime, I wouldn’t consult a guy in prison. lol.

keep the change on February 1, 2013 at 5:14 PM

Man, that NPR is really on the cutting edge of yesterday’s news. And we get to pay for it, too! Lucky us!

Jeddite on February 1, 2013 at 5:15 PM

Basically, you are spending a lot of time around other criminals, seasoned veterans who know the lay of the land, and they can teach you the mechanisms — ways to get away with crime.”

I feel like a computer…stuck in a logic loop.

BobMbx on February 1, 2013 at 5:22 PM

I actually think it probably has more to do with social networking than learning particular skills, especially given that if you weren’t in a gang before you went to prison you probably are when you get out.

Nessuno on February 1, 2013 at 5:37 PM

No, I can’t believe that.

/

Bob's Kid on February 1, 2013 at 5:55 PM

Because they have a lot of free time during the day?

Maybe bringing back the chain gang would cut into their criminal planning time.

reddevil on February 1, 2013 at 6:28 PM

Because they have a lot of free time during the day?

Maybe bringing back the chain gang would cut into their criminal planning time.

reddevil on February 1, 2013 at 6:28 PM

Exactly. Put them on 12-hour shifts of breaking rocks or WTF-ever. Leave them no time to do anything but eat, work, and sleep, and barely enough energy to shuffle back to their cells each evening.

The concept of having criminals sit in a cell all day with nothing to do but scream, sodomize the weak, and pass notes while a guard comes by MAYBE once an hour is idiotic in the extreme.

MelonCollie on February 1, 2013 at 7:09 PM