Criminological Characteristics of Individuals Engaged in Recruitment Activities: An Empirical Study Based on a Sample of Inmates
Prokhorenko E.S. Criminological characteristics of individuals engaged in recruitment activities: an empirical study based on a sample of inmates. Penitentiary Science, 2026, vol. 20, no. 3 (75), pp. 304–311. doi 10.46741/27132811.2026.75.3.009.
the article is devoted to the criminological characteristics of individuals engaged
in recruitment activities. Special attention is paid to the study of personality traits of the recruiter
and the person being recruited. The purpose of the study is to identify the structure of organizations
engaged in recruitment activities, the characteristic criminological features of recruiters, patterns
of the mechanism of criminal behavior, as well as the victimogenic factors that make the recruited
persons vulnerable. The study is based on the use of sociological interviews and questionnaires;
the empirical data are processed using a statistical method. The methodological basis consisted
of methods of formal and dialectical logic. Results: based on the analysis of judicial practice and
the survey of 22 individuals convicted of terrorism and extremism-related crimes, the structure of
the organization engaged in recruitment activities is revealed. The typical composition includes
an organizer, a coordinator, a motivator, a recruiter, and accomplices. At the same time, it is noted
that the effectiveness of recruitment is ensured by a clear distribution of functional roles and has
a multi‑level nature. Empirically, it has been established that the main victimogenic factors that
increase vulnerability to recruitment influence are the state of socio‑psychological maladjustment
of the recruit, the underdeveloped nature of value orientations and critical thinking, limited horizons,
and a lack of meaningful leisure activities. These factors are deliberately exploited by recruiters,
who, regardless of their level of training, are characterized by well‑developed communication skills,
psychological flexibility, and a strong commitment to the interests of the criminal association. The
author has identified a pattern whereby recruited individuals go on to conduct recruitment activities
independently – effectively revealing a mechanism of the criminal structure’s self‑reproduction.
Conclusions: the author proves the need for a comprehensive approach to preventing recruitment
activities that combines the reduction of the victimization of potential recruitment targets with the
differentiated impact on recruiters. The results obtained can serve as the basis for developing
preventive measures to counter recruitment activities.
Keywords: recruitment activities; personality of the recruiter; recruited person; recruitment; victimogenic factors; victimization; organized crime; crime prevention.
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