This Article Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Maguire, M. Articles by Raynor, P. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

How the resettlement of prisoners promotes desistance from crime

Or does it?

Peter Raynor

Cardiff University, UK and Swansea University, UK

The article considers current developments in the ‘resettlement’ of prisoners in the light of recent theory and research on factors promoting desistance from crime. While recognizing improvements promised by the Reducing Re-offending National Action Plan and the concept of ‘end-to-end’ offender management, it is argued that these are unlikely to reduce re-offending significantly without greater attention to individual offenders' mental processes and levels of selfmotivation, which are identified by the desistance literature (as well as much of the ‘what works’ literature) as critical factors in personal change. An account is given of a promising approach adopted in the ‘Resettlement Pathfinders’, where a cognitive-motivational programme was combined with practical services, with encouraging early results. However, concerns are expressed that even the most innovative approaches may be undermined by features of the broader context within which correctional services are delivered, including an excessive emphasis on enforcement (which makes no allowance for the ‘zigzag’ nature of desistance) and the potentially negative impact of ‘contestability’ on relational continuity.

Key Words: desistance • NOMS • offender management • probation • resettlement

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. R. Hollin Evaluating offending behaviour programmes: Does only randomization glister? JCriminology and Criminal Justice, February 1, 2008; 8(1): 89 - 106. [Abstract] [PDF]