A clinical psychologist on Reagan's task force on crime analyzes criminal motivation and behavior, provides a factual profile of the criminal mind, and explains effective methods of dealing with hardened criminals.

A new beginning -- The basic myths about criminals -- Parents don't turn children into criminals -- Peer pressure : no excuse for crime -- "The hell with school" -- Work and the criminal -- People as pawns -- "Getting over on the shrinks" -- Locked up -- Criminals' self-image : "decent people" -- The conventional wisdom : how wise? -- Coping with criminals : dusty trails and dead ends -- To change a criminal -- Corrections that correct.