'Heroes' and victims: Incarcerated bank robbers' accounts of victims and victimization. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nelson, Adie; Desroches, Frederick J
• Is Part Of: International review of victimology. Volume 20:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 211
• Page End: 226
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: Accounts -- robbery -- robbers -- techniques of neutralization -- victim management; Victims of crimes -- Periodicals; 362.8805
• DOI: 10.1177/0269758014521736
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7580

Abstract

This qualitative article is based upon interviews conducted with 80 incarcerated bank robbers and examines how these offenders conceptualized 'victims' and 'victimization'. Their accounts notably reverse conventional understandings of who is an 'offender' and who is a 'victim' by: casting 'bank robbery' as a 'non-violent' and 'victimless' crime; representing those who are victimized by their crimes as wannabe 'heroes' who are foolhardy and feckless; and positioning themselves as more sinned-against than sinning. However, these accounts may allow for remedial face-saving behaviour and represent attempts by offenders to delegitimate rule enforcers and/or others who would claim victim status as credible opponents.