Criminals from Among the Poor

Abstract

The article gives the main characteristics of crimes committed by persons from among the poor, the distinctive features of their personality. The author defines subgroups and gives their description. The article highlights the criteria for identifying the poor and specific subgroups, and their most characteristic features. The author focuses on the significance of poverty, its social, especially criminological, consequences and impact on the individual and his or her behavior. The lowest stratum of the very poor, in particular the vagabonds who systematically lead a homeless existence and the people who succumbed themselves to alcoholism is described. The author notes the importance of providing them with assistance and support on behalf of the church and public organizations, local authorities, the need for their treatment is also mentioned. The article uses results of the survey of about 60,000 convicts serving sentences in places of deprivation of liberty.