Why crime does not pay

Sophie Lyons's "Why Crime Does Not Pay" is a book that exposes the inevitable failure and cost of a life of crime, drawn from the author's own life experiences and observations as a former criminal. Lyons acknowledges crime as a "disease" in society but insists that it does not pay as a "profession" because it yields high risk, constant surveillance, imprisonment, and moral decay. The book attempts to debunk the popular notion that criminals are generally covetous, uneducated, and unintelligent, yet demonstrates that they often make mistakes leading to injustice, betrayal, and misery within the criminal world. While recognizing that even criminals can possess redeeming qualities, Lyons ultimately urges the reader to accept the truth that "crime does not pay" and to adhere to moral and lawful paths.