As adults, just over a quarter (26 percent) had a conviction for an offense against the person. Having a conviction for 'violence' was strongly associated with juvenile delinquency and conduct disorder. It was also found to be associated with certain deficiencies and distorted relationships in the natural home. Although boys who had been in public care for short periods contained a relatively high proportion of subjects later convicted of crimes against the person, the proportion among boys who were virtually brought up in care was much lower. There was also an inverse ratio between the length of time spent in care and the number of violent offenses committed in adult life by boys committed to care for offenses and being beyond control. (Author abstract)