Dimensions of desistance : a qualitative longitudinal analysis of different dimensions of the desistance process among long-term prisoners in the Netherlands

Author(s):
Doekhie, J.V.O.R. (0000-0003-4790-1079)
Published
2019
Publication type
Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

In the past decades a growing body of literature has been

dedicated to explain desistance from offending behaviour, or to answer the

question why some offenders quit crime and others do not. Currently, more

psychological explanations infuse a prominent line of research emphasizing the importance of subjective, individual factors coming from within the offender, such as developing a new sense of self-identity. The aim of this study was to gain more insight into different dimensions of desistance, focusing on two aspects of identity: future expectations and conventional aspirations, and investigated how these related to (non-)criminal behaviour over time. Furthermore, this study examined how the parole experience interacted with the different dimensions of desistance. This qualitative, longitudinal study followed 28 male prisoners serving a long-term sentence in the Netherlands during their transition from prison to society. Findings illustrated the importance of individual factors such as believing in one’s own abilities in the context of pre-release expectations, the lack of conventional scripts and role models, and the contribution of parole supervision to the desistance process. Yet, it also revealed the pain of failure for men attempting to refrain from crime, mostly relating to structural support such as employment or housing issues.

DesistanceRe-entryLong-term prisonersIdentityImprisonmentParole supervisionSupervision stylesRisk managementAgency
Defense date
2019-09-05
Language
English
Supervisor(s)
Nieuwbeerta, P.
Advisor(s)
Dirkzwager, A.J.E.
Committee member(s)
Boone, M.M.; Schuyt, P.M.; Liefaard, T.; McNeill, F.; Hurk, A. van den
Qualification
Ph.D.
Degree granting institution
Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Leiden University, Leiden
hdl
1887/77442
ISBN(s)
9789492801944

Funding

Sponsorship
Dit proefschrift is onderdeel van het Prison Project. Dit project is financieel ondersteund door de Universiteit Leiden, het Nederlands Studiecentrum voor Criminaliteit en Rechtshandhaving (NSCR), de Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk onderzoek (NWO) en de Universiteit van Utrecht.