From Involvement to Maintained Desistance of CrimeThrough a Rational Choice Perspective : An Analysis ofNarratives From Male Ex-Offenders

Abstract: Studying why people desist from criminality is a topic that needs research,as it is beneficial to society, the victims and the offenders. Crimes andrecidivism is a cost to society that could be reduced if more research wasdone regarding why an offender desists from crime and what keeps themmaintaining desistance. This would also lead to a more successfultreatment with reduced recidivism. The aim of this study was thusly togain a deeper understanding of the decision-making process frominvolvement to maintained desistance by investigate the reason fordesistance, if any differing reasons for maintaining desistance exist and ifit is possible to ensure maintained desistance. We did this by interviewingten male ex-offenders. The respondents in this study had a mean age of38.5 (SD = 14.17) and their criminal career ranged from 10 to about 40years. We analyzed the transcribed interviews with a thematic analysiswith four previously created themes from Cornish and Clarke's (1985)Rational Choice Theory. Findings showed that the decision to desist fromcrime is a process which is influenced by things such as experiencing ashocking event or re-evaluating values. The decision to maintaindesistance was partly due to changed self-perception, goals to fulfill andprosocial bonds that had been established. The will to maintain desistanceand being honest to your self was emphasised as something lacking whenprevious attempts to maintain desistance had failed, suggesting perhaps notan assurance of maintaining desistance but some indication to moresuccessfully maintaining desistance.