ABSTRACT
Charlie McGregor's story is unique in many ways, but the transition away from delinquent behavior he describes is a surprisingly common social phenomenon. This chapter includes the methodology and insight of narrative psychology to try to better understand the psychological processes involved in the transition away from antisocial behavior. It identifies a type of subjective self-understanding expressed in narrative that seems to support desistance from crime. The chapter analyses 20 published autobiographies, written by successfully reintegrated ex-convicts for similarities in theme, plot structure, and character—not simply the historical "facts" usually studied in sociological analysis. Public stories about criminality also affect young people who are in the process of finding their own identities. Adolescents' stories will reflect the influence of the countless public stories the young person has been exposed to, from television programs to religious parables. The findings from autobiographies may have practical implications for offender reintegration and rehabilitation policy.
