Mindhunter: understanding the criminal mindset

“A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens, but by how it treats its criminals.” – Dostoyevsky

My father was a security officer in the New York City. One night while he was patrolling his beat, a few young men threw a beer bottle at him. One of the 40-ounce bottles hit him and cracked open his face. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) could not do anything as there were no witnesses. At the hospital, he looked like a two-face out of the Batman movie. He could not be recognized. Seeing him in such a state, one might understand the anger of a son. It was hurtful, but the only good thing that came out of this incident was understanding the why of crimes and criminals, which compelled me to pursue a career in Criminology.

Being a criminologist provided me the unique opportunity to socialize with notorious gang members with teardrop tattoos beside their eyes and befriend shot callers, drug traffickers, and thieves. Some criminals even appeared to be normal humans with family values and compassion irrespective of their cold and ruthless eyes and indifference.

Once, a student of mine missed my class for four weeks, and the school dropped his name. Upon learning that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) apprehended him, he was in jail for an outstanding warrant. He pleaded that he could not afford to drop out of college or would be selling drugs on the streets. I never enquired about the reason for his warrant out of respect and the Fourth amendment to the U.S. Constitution (right to privacy). After talking to the dean, he was re-enrolled as I took full responsibility for his future actions. When he graduated, he refused to accept his degree until it was awarded by me. It has been 13 years since then and the incident still give me goosebumps thinking about how my open-mindedness helped someone change their life.

Society often demonizes criminals. We see them as monsters, animals, or a subhuman. This creates an “us vs. them” mentality, making it challenging to see criminals as human beings. Society must remember that criminals are human beings, too. They can feel pain, love, and remorse. They are not monsters; they are people who have made some bad choices. By realizing that criminals are still people, we can make a more caring justice system that focuses on rehabilitation instead of punishment.

A case that I encountered was of a 20-year-old girl who had experimented with every drug known to humanity by 17 because her father abused her physically and emotionally. She ran away and ended up on the street. Later, she joined a gang and trafficked drugs. However, she was always absent-minded during the class sessions. After inquiring about her state of mind, she could not hold back; she wanted to be heard. Speaking to the head of the department, a veteran police officer, we helped her sign up with a rehabilitation center so she could turn her life around.

When people learn that I have a Master’s degree in Criminology, they often ask whether criminals are born or made. Having a degree means that I am capable of asking different questions to understand the why and what of crimes and criminal behaviour. To answer the question, criminals are made. When authorities make policies to restore justice to make victims whole again, they forget to include criminals in their conversations. It is essential to remember that criminals are victims as well. They are victims of circumstance. They may have been born into a life of poverty and violence, with no hope of ever escaping it, abuse and violence might have traumatized them or they may have turned to crime to support themselves or their families. Whatever the reason, it is essential to remember that they are often victims suffering from poor socioeconomic policies that push people in the wrong direction.

There are several reasons people commit crimes and end up in prison. People living in abject poverty are more likely to turn to crime to survive. They may also commit crimes out of desperation or because others have influenced them. Another reason is mental health. Mental illness can lead to criminal activity if the person is not getting the treatment they need. Others commit crimes simply because they enjoy breaking the law or may not care about the consequences of their actions. Whatever the reason, people who commit crimes often end up in prison.

The criminal justice system is a battleground between the victim and the perpetrator, but there are a variety of reasons punishment may not work as intended. Firstly, the sentence may not be severe enough to change the behaviour of the perpetrator. If the penalty is not significant enough, then it will not be a deterrent. Secondly, the punishment may be applied inconsistently, leading to ineffective outcomes. If the sentence is only used sometimes, it will be difficult for the person to know when to expect it and they may not take it seriously. Thirdly, the punishment may be unfair, leading to resentment and resistance. If the person feels they are being punished unfairly, they are less likely to change.

It could be challenging to grant forgiveness to those who have committed crimes against us or our society but it is essential to remember that the individuals in question are imperfect humans who have made mistakes. Society must consider giving them a second chance through collective wisdom. We may assist them on their way to recovery and reintegration into society.

When it comes to the subject of how to assist criminals, there is no one correct response. While much rehabilitation is the answer, others feel that heavier sanctions are the only way to discourage criminal behaviour successfully. Some people even believe that a lack of personal responsibility is the primary factor contributing to crime. There is no simple solution to this problem; however, several things could be done to help reduce crime. One is to expand the number of educational and vocational training possibilities available. Acquiring these talents may assist individuals in securing lawful work and avoiding a life of criminal activity. Another option is to increase the help provided to families and communities. This may contribute to developing a greater sense of community and give individuals the tools they need to avoid engaging in risky behaviour. Finally, it is essential to tackle the problems that underlie criminal behaviour. This could mean dealing with racism, poverty, and other social issues.

Ever thought about why the number of criminals remains the same when the law punishes them by hanging or throwing them in jail? Because there is no restorative justice system where criminals can be healed and motivated to lead a better life. While child molesters, rapists, and murderers should never see the light of the day, we should consider minor non-threatening offenders for rehabilitation. Law enforcement agencies should also educate the masses to accept criminals, after punishment, as someone who have paid their debt physically and emotionally.

When we fail to heal criminals, our indifference compel them to go back to their previous lifestyle. Restorative justice and rehabilitation can reform criminals and treat them like equals. Only then would we, as a society, be able to end the vicious cycle of producing criminals.

The writer is a political enthusiast. He was a professor of psychology, sociology, criminology, and counter-terrorism in the US