Introduction
Ruben Rhodes is an individual with a long list of felonies and illegal activities. However, his background risk factors and propensity for crime may give a hint that this type of behavior was a result of his upbringing. Hence, it is essential to revise Rhodes’s biography and see if any of the theories of offending apply to him based on the information presented in his case.
Criminal Background
Firstly, it is critical to examine the offender’s past to determine which offending theories apply to him. During his childhood, Rhodes did not have strict supervision when he was a child, as his father was a heavy drinker (“State of Ohio”, n.d.). After school, he and his brothers would frequently wander the streets, and he eventually committed crimes like drinking, gambling, and small-time larceny. He struggled at school and did not pursue any additional education after graduating from high school.
Rhodes was charged with grand theft auto and trafficking in marijuana by the age of 19 and was imprisoned three times over the following 15 years for illegal possession of firearms, drug distribution, and violence. Moreover, he was never treated for his addiction to prescription pharmaceuticals and would relapse shortly after being released, without receiving pre-release preparation and aftercare. Ruben Rhodes is now imprisoned in the Franklin County Jail on a $2,000,000 bond for supporting marijuana trafficking, corrupt activities, and felonious assault (“Criminal Case”, 2013). Hence, based on this data, it is possible to discern useful information and decide what theories of offending apply here.
Application of Theories to the Case
DLC
The evidence in Rhode’s case suggests that the Developmental and Life-Course (DLC) explanation is the most relevant theory of offending. According to DLC research, neuropsychological deficiencies are generally the root cause of early-onset offenders (Rosa et al., 2020). These deficits interact with adverse social circumstances, including the home, school, and community, to cause criminal conduct to begin early and continue throughout an individual’s life. Specifically, risk variables associated with neuropsychological disorders, challenging temperaments, and cognitive deficiencies are often identified in the DLC literature.
Additional risk factors include weak attachment with parents or lack of affection, structural adversity, low interest and performance in school, and childhood neglect or abuse. It is anticipated that early-onset offenders will have few supportive family, school, and community networks(Rosa et al., 2020). Hence, the DLC theory states that children with poor parental supervision and attachment, impulsivity, and educational problems are at risk of becoming felons in adulthood.
Based on the description of the DLC theory, it is possible to find correlations with Rhodes’s background. Firstly, he had poor parental supervision and attachment, as it is stated that his father was a habitual drinker, and he and his brothers would frequently wander the streets. Another important factor was his poor performance and lack of interest in education, as he did not pursue any degree after high school. Moreover, even in his teenage years, he was already guilty of several crimes, such as small-time larceny, marijuana trafficking, and grand theft auto. As part of the DLC framework, it is known that juvenile delinquency is recognized as a significant risk factor for adult criminal behavior.
Additionally, a person’s environment and temperament during youth are among the most critical risk factors for future criminal activity (Basto-Pereira & Farrington, 2022). It is known that Rhodes had a history of violence and growing up in a neglectful environment, as well as associating with other felons for marijuana trafficking and the purchase of illegal firearms. Hence, Rhodes’s case falls under the DLC theory due to his upbringing, temper, social environment, academic performance, and crime history.
Labeling
However, the way the police treated Rhodes during and after his incarceration strongly implies that labeling theory is applicable in his case. This theory holds that an individual’s designation as a criminal is determined by those in positions of authority, who define which behaviors are illegal. A person’s conventional chances are taken away by society once they are stigmatized and identified as criminals, which strengthens their criminal identity and may encourage them to continue their criminal activity in the lack of “normal” integration and acceptance (Petruzzi, 2023).
As can be seen in Rhodes’s criminal history, he was severely mistreated by prison staff, as he did not receive care for his drug addiction, and was not given pre-release preparation and aftercare. This may be because of his lengthy criminal record, which led officials to believe he was a “lost cause”. Therefore, this may mean he was essentially labeled a delinquent from an early age and may have considered criminal activity the only way to live.
Conclusion
Thus, the case of Ruben Rhodes can be seen as an example of the labeling and DLC theories in practice. Given his background, temperament, social surroundings, academic standing, and criminal record, Rhodes’s situation fits the DLC theory. Furthermore, it is clear from the way the police and jail officials handled him that the labeling theory explains why he became the man he is now. To summarize, the DLC and labeling theories are valuable tools for identifying why criminals act the way they do so that, hopefully, they can be used to prevent crimes in the future.
References
Basto-Pereira, M., & Farrington, D. P. (2022). Developmental predictors of offending and persistence in crime: A systematic review of meta-analyses. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 65, 101761.
Criminal Case Detail. (2013). Maryellen O’Shaughnessy Franklin County Clerk of Courts.
Petruzzi, J. (2023). Theories of Offending. Research Gate.
Ray, J. V., & Jones, S. (2023). Aging out of crime and personality development: A review of the research examining the role of impulsiveness on offending in middle and late adulthood. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 1587—1596.
Rosa, M., Fox, B., & Jennings, W. G. (2020). Do developmental and life-course theory risk factors equally predict age of onset among juvenile sexual and nonsexual offenders?Sexual Abuse, 32(1), 55-78.
State of Ohio vs. Ruben Rhodes. (n.d.). Franklin University.