Desistance theories and concepts Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is desistance in criminology
The process by which individuals move away from criminal behaviour, often identity change, social bonds, and structural supports
What does Sampson and LAub’s age-graded social control theory suggest
Turning points like employment and marriage create social bonds that encourage desistance
What is Maruna’s (2001) concept of a redemption script?
A personal narrative that reframes the past and supports a prosocial identity
What does generativity refer to in desistance theory?
The desire to give back or help others as part of reform
What are ‘hooks for change’?
New environments or opportunities that individuals must actively embrace to support desistance (Giordano et al., 2002).
What does McNeill’s “desistance paradigm” argue
Offender management should support desistance owned by the individual, not imposed through expert control.
Three external factors that show support fro process of desistance
- employment
- stable relationships
- moving away from peer offenders
implications of identity ‘singularisation’ for people in prison
creates perceptions of unfairness and bias
prioritise one aspect of identity over others
Which idea wasn’t part of reform for women in CJS?
Corston Report is outdated
What is desistance (simple)?
Moving away from crime + staying crime-free
Offender managers’ role in desistance?
Support, not control—it’s the desister’s journey
How does faith help desistance?
Redemption, new ID, hope, motivation
One community intervention that aids desistance + how?
Peer mentoring—builds identity + responsibility
What is a key feature of the “new penality” (Feeley & Simon, 1992)?
A shift toward managing risk over welfare or rehabilitation.
