Fear and loathing in the community: sexual offenders and desistance in a climate of risk and ‘extreme othering’

This chapter focuses attention on sex offenders who, perhaps more than any other 'type' of offender, have been systematically vilified, demonised, and ostracised from mainstream society. The author argues that, for once, the public, the media, the government, and – worryingly – large numbers of professionals seem to be in agreement that such 'othering' is entirely right and proper in what are seen to be the larger interests of public protection. The author explores the implications of this deeply entrenched culture for ‘would-be desisters’ and suggests ways forward that offer individuals opportunities to uncouple from the ‘master status’ of sex offender and to build positive social networks.

Different pathways for different journeys: ethnicity, identity transition and desistance

This chapter argues that the processes of adopting viable non-offending identities are as important in the desistance of minority ethnic offenders as they are for offenders who are white. However, differences in structural location and cultural expectations and practices mean that the forms of pro-social identity that are accessible and available vary. The author examines the ways Black and dual heritage and South Asian male desisters invest in available discourses of masculinity which are shaped by ethnicity (Gadd and Farrall, 2004) and how this process of identity re-construction provides a means of transitioning from an offender to a non-offender identity. The author then pinpoints the ways that identity is racialised and reviews the effects this has on desistance and the different strategies employed to deal with challenges imposed by racism.

Emotions and identity transformation

This chapter explores the role of emotions in identity transformation and desistance. The author begins by critically exploring the relative neglect of the emotional realm in both mainstream criminological and desistance literatures, before going on to consider how and in what ways emotions are seen to be implicated in processes of change in the relatively few existing desistance studies which consider this dimension. She then goes on to draw on her own doctoral research to highlight the ways in which emotions were heavily implicated in the stories her cohort of men told – both in stories of their onset/persistence in offending and of their eventual desistance.

Introduction

Criminology has pursued a long-standing interest in crime causation and what leads individuals into committing crime. It is striking, though, considering the extent to which state machineries are marshalled into efforts to control and reduce crime, that criminologists have only relatively recently turned their attention to the question of what prompts offenders to cease criminal activity and how they do so. Consequently, and perhaps making up for lost time, the past two decades have seen a proliferation of literature exploring the psychosocial processes of change. Recent research has also opened questions about the impact of social contexts and criminal justice interventions on desistance from crime, examining the way that individuals transform aspects of identity and social relationships as they move away from offending (for example, ...

Lived desistance: understanding how women experience giving up offending

This chapter extends the analysis of gender, in this instance exploring the lived experiences of women in a period of change. While women’s experiences are similar to men’s in many respects, the author’s discussions over a period of time with a sample of women attending a day centre, reveal some intriguing differences. She highlights the significance of living in long-term abusive relationships for confidence and self-perception. Additionally, she questions assumptions about desistance necessarily involving a ‘replacement identity’; aspects of self may be reworked and, on occasions, the process is more akin to finding a ‘lost’ self after ending a violent relationship or seeking drug use. For the women in this study, identities were often precarious, reflecting the early and fragile nature of their desistance. Being or becoming a caregiver – a more socially available role for women than for men – was often a key element in the women’s accounts of change.

Alcoholics Anonymous: sustaining behavioural change

This chapter concentrates on the practices of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and how they facilitate behavioural change. The author analysed intensive interviews with long-term members of AA using a framework that focused on motivation to engage, structured social engagement (through the activities of AA) and personal agency. The resulting model (presented as a helix to represent progression over time) illustrates the way that individuals use support from AA and the understandings of their problem drinking – reflecting AA language and concepts in what the author terms ‘linguistic echoes’ – to maintain sobriety. Although there may be limits to identity transformation while still engaged with the organisation as ‘sober alcoholics’, the programme emphasises moral reflection and commitment to new norms and beliefs which are key elements of desistance processes.

Men, prison and aspirational masculinities

This chapter reflects on the findings from the author’s ethnographic study in a prison for adult males. The author’s focus is on the men’s changing visions and expectations of their futures as men, which she frames as ‘aspirational masculinities’. The experience of time in prison may encourage negative and aggressive forms of masculinity on the one hand, but does allow opportunity for reflection and a reappraisal of life priorities on the other. In particular, she highlights shifts over time in the ‘audiences’ that men consider important for the performance of their masculinity, reflecting changes in values, attachments and expectations of life and identities beyond the prison wall.

Extending the ‘desistance and recovery debates’: thoughts on identity

This chapter introduces ideas of identity and identity transformation in processes of personal change. The author starts by exploring what is meant by identity, and analyses the two theoretical frameworks most commonly employed by the writers in this collection – narrative theory and social identity theory. She then draws on concepts such as Goffman’s (1963) ‘spoiled identity’ and Braithwaite’s (1989) ‘master status’ to consider ways in which involvement in offending, substance misuse and other ‘problematic’ behaviours and lifestyles can be implicated in an individual’s sense of self and, of course, the views that others take of such individuals. She highlights key implications in terms of stigma, discrimination and cumulative disadvantage and how these processes can represent obstacles to change.

Endnotes and further routes for enquiry

This chapter highlights the key messages from the research and thinking in this book. The author points to fruitful areas for further investigation in both desistance and recovery, and in the areas where they intersect. She ends by considering the main challenges and obstacles encountered in extending knowledge and understanding, and by reviewing established and promising methodologies for enquiry.

Social identity, social networks and social capital in desistance and recovery

This chapter applies a Social Identity Model of Recovery (Best et al, 2015) from substance use recovery to desistance. Based on social identity theory, this approach suggests that diverse social networks, specifically those involving individuals who are non-users and/or offenders, are supportive of recovery. Such networks assist the individual in the transition ‘from addict identity to recovery identity’ and building ‘recovery capital’ created by an amalgam of personal, social and community capital, that is held together by the emerging social identities. Support for this model is provided by a mixed methods study that collected data from a sample of drug and alcohol workers in recovery from previous problematic dependent use. The chapter presents quantitative analysis and powerful case studies to argue for the role of social group membership in creating and consolidating attachments to new norms, values and behaviours, and the social identities that follow.