ABSTRACT
This chapter begins a narrative thread which flows throughout the text of the book. The chapter seeks to explain to the reader how crime is defined, and how definitions of criminal acts in England and Wales have changed over the years. Theoretical models of crime are outlined from early research into classicism and positivism to more recent psychological and social models that explore society's understanding of offending. Theories based on internal justification, control, integrated systems and conformity are presented as a rationale to consider the complex picture of why individuals might become lawbreakers.
Finally, adverse childhood experiences are discussed alongside socio-demographic outlines of people who come into contact with the criminal justice system, and the biopsychosocial model of care is explored. The reader is reminded that contact with the criminal justice system comes in many forms – as a victim, as a witness, as a family member or as an offender – and the chapter concludes with practical advice to support conversations with the range of people touched by offending behaviour.
