The Development of a Criminal Identity Amongst Adolescent Males

By analysing the narratives of 20 young people in the criminal justice system, this thesis explores the development of a criminal identity. That is, the way that young people see themselves, the groups they fit into and the way they believe others see them regarding crime and criminality. This thesis has implications for providing a deeper understanding as to why some young people continue to commit crime as well as helping those who work with them.