Criminal Types

"Criminal Types" by V. M. (Vincent Myron) Masten is an analysis of crime from the early 1900s that seeks to change how people think about criminals and the reasons behind their actions. The author looks at different kinds of criminals, explaining that people commit crimes for all sorts of reasons, not just because they are naturally bad. The book starts by saying that society needs to rethink how it prevents crime and helps criminals get back on their feet. Masten believes some criminals learn to be criminals because of the world around them and the decisions they make. He criticizes the way criminals are punished, arguing that they should have to pay back what they took, and that the focus should be on stopping crime and teaching people to be responsible members of society. To really cut down on crime and help criminals change, the writer says we have to understand why they do what they do.