Courses :: Module, A WAY OUT? DESISTANCE FROM CRIME

	Overview
	The journey from crime has become the subject of intensive research in recent years. For those who seek to break from criminogenic patterns of behaviour, their path is often hindered by personal obstacles and structural challenges. Desistance studies are concerned with unpacking how and why people stop offending, rather than why they offend, often with a view to informing criminal justice interventions. This module explores theoretical and empirical research on desistance from crime through a critical lens, with a particular focus on the following topics: the meaning and measure of desistance; core theories of desistance such as agentic, socio-structural, interactional and situational explanations; lived experiences of desistance; the limitations of desistance, and; its impact on criminal justice practice and policy. Part I: Introduction � Career Criminals and The Roots of Desistance � Defining Desistance � Measuring Desistance Part II: Theories of Desistance � Individual and Agentic � Social and Structural � Interactionist � Situational Part III: Perspectives on Desistance � Lived Experiences of Desistance � Gender Differences and Desistance � Race, Ethnicity and Desistance Part IV: Desistance and the Criminal Justice System � Sentencing Practices � Offender Supervision � Imprisonment Part V: The Future of Desistance � Desistance and Crime Policy � Desistance as a Social Movement?

Overview

The journey from crime has become the subject of intensive research in recent years. For those who seek to break from criminogenic patterns of behaviour, their path is often hindered by personal obstacles and structural challenges. Desistance studies are concerned with unpacking how and why people stop offending, rather than why they offend, often with a view to informing criminal justice interventions. This module explores theoretical and empirical research on desistance from crime through a critical lens, with a particular focus on the following topics: the meaning and measure of desistance; core theories of desistance such as agentic, socio-structural, interactional and situational explanations; lived experiences of desistance; the limitations of desistance, and; its impact on criminal justice practice and policy.

Part I: Introduction
� Career Criminals and The Roots of Desistance
� Defining Desistance
� Measuring Desistance

Part II: Theories of Desistance
� Individual and Agentic
� Social and Structural
� Interactionist
� Situational

Part III: Perspectives on Desistance
� Lived Experiences of Desistance
� Gender Differences and Desistance
� Race, Ethnicity and Desistance

Part IV: Desistance and the Criminal Justice System
� Sentencing Practices
� Offender Supervision
� Imprisonment

Part V: The Future of Desistance
� Desistance and Crime Policy
� Desistance as a Social Movement?

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Explain the development of the phenomenon of desistance and the early emphasis on career criminality. Demonstrate an understanding of the contested definitions and measures of desistance. Describe and analyse critically core theoretical paradigms of desistance, and compare and contrast key conceptual themes. Demonstrate an appreciation of empirical research on the lived experiences of desisters, including literature relating to gender, race and ethnicity. Review and assess the impact of desistance research on criminal justice interventions, practices and policies. Assess critically the potential of contemporary forms of desistance under late modern conditions. Demonstrate written and verbal skills of argument and understanding of research methodologies.

Learning Outcomes

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A WAY OUT? DESISTANCE FROM CRIME

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