Gendered Pathways Into Co-Offending Among a Sample of Adult Burglary and Robbery Offenders

Abstract

This study examines whether gender is related to co-offending. It also tests whether turning points throughout the life course influence co-offending in adulthood and whether these pathways into co-offending are gendered. The study utilizes a sample of 484 burglary and robbery offenses committed by 400 offenders incarcerated in Minnesota state prisons. Neither the presence of co-offenders nor the number of co-offenders varied by gender. However, women were more likely than men to act as accomplices and co-offend with romantic partners or family members. In addition, there was limited evidence that homelessness, abuse and victimization, substance abuse, and mental health problems were related to co-offending, and that these relationships varied by gender.