THE MEN DISCUSSED THEIR OWN SIGNIFICANT, ALTHOUGH TEMPORARY, EXITS FROM CRIME, PROVIDING INFORMATION ON ATTEMPTED EXITS, FAILED EXITS, AND SUBJECTIVELY DEFINED SUCCESSFUL EXITS. THE INTERVIEW DATA SUGGEST THAT EXITING IS MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE TO AVOID FURTHER INCARCERATION AND BY THE WISH TO 'SETTLE DOWN.' SUCCESS IN EXITING APPARENTLY REVOLVES AROUND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL BOND WITH THE CONVENTIONAL WORLD. THE SUBJECTIVE PENALTIES OF DEVIATION GRADUALLY INCREASE AS THE EX-OFFENDER ACQUIRES CONVENTIONAL ASSOCIATES, LOVED ONES, AND EMPLOYMENT. THE BOND TO CONVENTIONAL ORDER ALSO PROTECTS THE EX-OFFENDER FROM NEGATIVE RESPONSES TO HIS CRIMINAL PAST. THUS THE SOCIAL BOND IS BOTH A RESTRAINING FORCE AND A PROTECTIVE RESOURCE FOR THE EXITING FELON. THE FINDINGS IMPLY THAT MOST CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL EXITING ARE LARGELY OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES. THE FINDINGS ALSO POINT TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAGMATIC, EVERYDAY SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN THE ABANDONMENT OF CRIMINAL CAREERS, AND TEND TO SUPPORT THE SOCIAL CONTROL THEORY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.