A large number of prisoners were habitual offenders of theft and highway robbery.
2)大量犯人是盗窃、拦路抢劫的惯犯。
英语百科
Habitual offender
A habitual offender or career criminal is a person convicted of a new crime who was previously convicted of a crime(s). Various state and jurisdictions may have laws targeting habitual offenders, and specifically providing for enhanced or exemplary punishments or other sanctions. They are designed to counter criminal recidivism by physical incapacitation via imprisonment.