ABSTRACT

This book presents a comparative study of desistance from crime by analysing and comparing the narratives of English and French desisters. In doing so, it uncovers how national and structural differences may lead to varying individual pathways out of crime.

Comparing Pathways of Desistance draws on the themes of family, education, onset of offending, employment, offending, experiences and perspectives of the criminal justice system, stories of desistance, support networks, and projections into the future. In addition, this book also explores topics that are less commonly looked at in desistance studies such as ambitions of entrepreneurship and leisure activities. It examines the ways in which people make sense of their experiences of offending and desisting, identifies differences and similarities between English and French desisters, and reflects on how these differences and similarities inform us on the influences of national contexts on individual pathways of desistance.

An accessible and compelling read this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology, sociology, desistance, politics, social policy and all those interested in the differences between English and French desisters.

chapter Chapter 1|26 pages

Introduction

Taking stock of the knowledge about desistance from crime

chapter Chapter 3|36 pages

Setting the societal and criminal justice contexts

chapter Chapter 4|28 pages

Understanding desisters

Looking to the past

chapter Chapter 5|29 pages

Understanding desisters

Making sense of change

chapter Chapter 6|26 pages

Mechanisms of change

The role of support systems

chapter Chapter 7|21 pages

Experiences and perspectives of probation supervision

chapter Chapter 8|25 pages

What desistance ‘looks' like

Comparing typical days in the lives of desisters

chapter Chapter 9|19 pages

Discussing the differences

Narratives and pathways of desistance in England and France