I have often been asked whether criminals "burn out" with age. I wish that society could count on the passing of years to effect such a significant change. Unfortunately, the criminal personality remains intact, despite aging. It is true that, at age 40, one cannot run as fast as he can at 25. What changes is the form of criminality, not the basic character structure.

I recall Joseph, a 55 year old offender. He told me that no longer was he "rippin' and runnin' in the streets. He said that he had become more "mellow" and had ceased committing violent crimes and had shelved his firearms. Joseph stopped using "hard drugs" because they impaired his coordination, and he no longer trusted the quality of what he was getting in the streets. However, his consumption of alcoholic beverages increased as did his marijuana usage. Instead of running the streets, he stole from the premises of whatever job he happened to hold. He did a bit of gambling and had his group of women whom he continued to use for sex and money. His most egregious offense, however, was posing as a minister and praying for families whose members were having serious health problems. (He even had a professional looking card printed designating himself as the reverend of a church whose name he invented.) In return, the distraught but grateful family members would donate to Joseph's "church." Joseph was living very well on the donated funds, furnishings, and other items that he collected.