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1	Defying the odds of recidivism: ex-offenders’ narratives of desistance Mdakane, Mbongiseni 10 1900 (has links) When conducting research on crime, scholars are generally inclined to focus on the aetiology, hence our comprehension of biological and/or environmental factors as antecedents of crime. In this study, however, acknowledgement was given to ex-offenders who, once released from prison showed positive signs of disengagement from crime and posed the following questions: what are the lived experiences of ex-offenders who desist from crime and what are the reasons influencing their decisions to stop offending? Four adult male ex-offenders of African descent between the ages of 30 and 42 participated in the study. The researcher, inspired by his insider position as an ex-offender aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of other ex-offenders who had stopped offending, or who were in the process of disengaging from crime. An interpretive phenomenological approach including three theories of criminal desistance were used to ground the study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Results showed that the processes of criminal desistance are unique and contextual, particular rather than universal, and that change can be attributed to intra-individual factors facilitated by strong quality social bonds / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology) South Africa Criminal Justice System Criminal desistance Incarceration Interpretive phenomenology Recidivism Correctional Service Rehabilitation Offender reintegration Prison Offender Re-entry Programmes 364.30968 Recidivism -- South Africa -- Prevention Criminal psychology -- South Africa Corrections -- South Africa Behavior modification -- South Africa

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Defying the odds of recidivism: ex-offenders’ narratives of desistance