Hirschi's Theory of Social Control (Social Bond Theory)

The Rise and Fall of Walter Rose

Early Life and Criminal Background

• Walter Rose is introduced as a troubled individual, having been involved in the murder of two police officers in Florida. This incident leads to his life sentence in prison.

• After 20 years, he finds freedom but struggles with alcoholism, prompting him to disappear into rural areas to evade law enforcement.

Transition from Prison to Freedom

• Upon release on parole after serving four years for robbery, Rose attempts to live a lawful life but faces financial difficulties. An old prison acquaintance offers him a chance that leads him back into crime.

• He becomes involved in drug trafficking shortly after his release, indicating a pattern of poor decision-making despite his initial intentions to reform.

Life Inside Prison

• Following another failed escape attempt, Rose is transferred to a maximum-security facility where he learns self-defense and begins training under an instructor named Mark. Their relationship evolves from teacher-student to friendship.

• Over time, Rose transforms from being a troublemaker into a model prisoner by focusing on education and personal development during his incarceration. He dedicates himself to various courses while building confidence through martial arts training.

A New Beginning Outside Prison

• In 1994, after years of effort from author Sharon who advocates for his release, Rose is granted parole and moves to Santa Fe with her. They start anew together as he learns desktop publishing skills and helps grow her business.

• The couple quickly becomes engaged; however, tensions arise when Rose breaks the terms of his parole due to alcohol consumption during an argument with Sharon. She threatens legal action against him which complicates their relationship further.

The Fugitive Life

• After reconciling briefly with Sharon post-altercation, they decide to sell their belongings and relocate under new identities in Washington State where they embrace rural life away from criminal pasts as Michael and Sharon Garcia.

• Despite living peacefully for nearly a decade without incident under this new identity, renewed investigations into the murders lead authorities back to Walter Rose's case resulting in his arrest alongside Sharon for harboring a fugitive status.

Consequences of Past Actions

• Both are arrested; Sharon receives community service while Walter faces serious charges including parole violation leading him back into prison where he reflects on how much he has changed since his original sentencing decades earlier.

• Ultimately, Walter expresses regret over returning to prison after almost ten years of freedom but acknowledges that he feels like a different person compared to who he was before incarceration at the beginning of this journey.