ABSTRACT
There is widespread consensus that structural processes play a role in desistance from crime. Yet scholars have only recently begun to systematically theorise and study these processes. This chapter aims to contribute to the literature in this area by exploring socio-cultural pathways to desistance in Ireland with a particular focus on key social institutions such as the economy, education system, family and polity. Ireland represents an interesting place to study this topic because the country has experienced significant social, cultural and economic changes in recent decades. For instance, Ireland has experienced an economic boom (the Celtic Tiger), a deep and prolonged recession and a recovery period (the Celtic Phoenix) since 1994. The discussion begins by examining key features of the socio-cultural landscape that might help or hinder people on their journey towards desistance. Next, the findings that emerged from a series of in-depth interviews with 73 adult male probationers are presented, concentrating on areas where structural conditions intersected with participants’ individual biographies.
