Factors affecting crime against property of offenders in the Thonburi Remand Prison using social bonds, self-control and differential association theories
Abstract:
This research was to study factors of social bond, self-control, and differential association affecting crimes against property of inmates in the Thonburi Remand prison and to investigate preventive approaches and corrections of crimes against property among these inmates. 254 inmates convicted of crimes against property in the Thonburi Remand prison were the samples. The statistical applications were frequency, percentage, standard deviation, means, maximum values, minimum values, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Most inmates were 31 years old, on average, while their average ages at time of the offense was 30 years old. The majority was Buddhist and educated at primary level. They earned their living by being general laborers with an average income of 19,030 Baht a month. They cohabited with their wives without registering their marriage certificate as expanded families with two children on average and with their parents. They had warmly harmonized families. The test of hypotheses revealed that the factors of social bonds particularly the family bond, the factors of self-control in six areas, the factors of differential association, especially frequency of association, affected crimes against property with A statistical significance at α 0.05 level. Recommendations are there should be training on self-control by abiding in the five precepts or following the Buddhist doctrines, building the family bond through cultivating affection and kindness founded on wisdom, avoiding association with the wicked persons, but associating and befriending virtuous persons. Also, the Thonburi Remand prison and other prisons should emphasize mental development for offenders with training in ascetic meditation.