Final answer:
Chronic offenders are often predicted by factors such as poverty, social disorganization, weakened social bonds, and challenging reintegrations post-incarceration. Personality traits such as depression and neuroticism can also contribute. Strong, cohesive neighborhoods tend to discourage criminal behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics that predict chronic offenders stem from various social factors. The social disorganization theory suggests that individuals growing up in impoverished areas are more likely to engage in deviant or criminal behaviors. Contributing factors such as poverty, income inequality, lack of opportunity, racism, poor educational systems, gang activity, and substance abuse all play significant roles.
Additionally, an individual's reintegration into society post-incarceration can be fraught with challenges that increase the likelihood of reoffending. Factors such as being labeled as deviant by society, losing social bonds made in prison, and experiencing disconnect with community and society at large can contribute to recidivism.