Abstract
Desistance research emphasizes that offenders identify a future self that aids desistance efforts. However, it is unclear how future selves operate when offending opportunities arise. To explore this, we employ qualitative accounts of instances when offenders and ex-offenders abstained from offending, and the emotions this evoked. Offending was avoided to preserve aspects of offenders’ lives or avoid negative consequences but, for some, avoiding offending brought frustration. Finally, those who had made the most progress towards desistance were less likely to identify opportunities for offending. These findings suggest future selves inform the desistance process, highlighting particular ways to be. However, time is needed to build up valued aspects of the life that may be feared lost if engaging in crime. Before the benefits of abstaining are recognized, there may be a tension between the future and current self.Citation
Hunter, B., and Farrall, S. (2017) 'Emotions, future selves and the process of desistance', The British Journal of Criminology, 58(2), pp. 291-308.Publisher
Oxford University PressJournal
The British Journal of CriminologyDOI
10.1093/bjc/azx017Additional Links
https://academic.oup.com/bjc/article/58/2/291/3076448http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/112099/
Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
0007095514643529
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1093/bjc/azx017