This theory of crime over the life course provides a foundation for rethinking criminal justice policy. It is based on the re-analysis of a classic set of data: Sheldon and Eleanor Gluecks' mid-century study of 500 delinquents and 500 non-delinquents from childhood to adulthood. Several years ago, Robert Sampson and John Laub undertook a lengthy process of recording, computerizing and re-analyzing 60 cartons of the Gluecks' data. On the basis of their findings, they developed a theory of informal social control that acknowledges the importance of childhood behaviour but rejects the implication that adult social factors have little relevance. This theory accounts for both stability and change on crime and deviance throughout the life course. This text was awarded the American Society of Criminology's Michael J. Hindelang Award.