Straight Time (1978) stars Dustin Hoffman as a career criminal. Seeing a younger Hoffman in one of his grittier roles makes it worthwhile, on top of how well the story flows in this crime/drama.
It is also worth a viewing since it is directed by the highly underrated Ulu Grosbard.
via imdb.com:
After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer. When he is released again, he assaults the parole officer, steals his car, and returns to a life of crime.
