Youth gangs are a pervasive problem of contemporary society. Since the first recorded work on this topic in Canada more than 70 years ago, many theoretical and empirical research studies have been added to this field of inquiry and efforts continue with the goal of better understanding and responding to this social issue. Over the past 20 years, research into desistance from gang involvement has gained popularity and, while we are gaining a better grasp of the area, additional work is needed to examine the processes associated with leaving gangs among justice-involved youth in the Canadian context. Drawing from focus groups and individual interviews with 30 justice-involved youth and 23 youth justice practitioners in the city of Ottawa, this doctoral dissertation sought to explore the subjective understandings and experiences of justice-involved youth with gang affiliations. Given the focus on the youth justice system, there was also interest in how the perspectives of justice-involved youth aligned with those of youth justice practitioners. The way in which these two groups define and attribute meaning to issues related to gang involvement and desistance and their views on the role of the youth justice system in supporting the latter should be taken into consideration in the development of future strategies to address youth gangs. The knowledge and insights gained through the findings from this research project can be used to inform policy and practice to prevent gang involvement among at-risk youth, to intervene with gang members, and to support desistance by helping motivated individuals to pursue alternatives to gang life. The recommendations provided in this doctoral dissertation contribute to the overall body of empirical research on youth gangs and highlight potential areas of future investigation for innovation and change on how we understand and address this social issue.

The goal of this study was to gather information from Aboriginal offenders and develop a categorical map that describes the factors that help and hinder maintaining a crime free life after incarceration. The critical incident technique was utilized to examine 42 Aboriginal offenders’ journeys from prison to the community. Three hundred and forty-one incidents collapsed into nine major categories representing themes that were helpful in maintaining a crime free life: 1) transformation of self; 2) cultural and traditional experiences; 3) healthy relationships; 4) having routine and structure in daily living; 5) freedom from prison; 6) purpose and fulfillment in life; 7) attempting to live alcohol and drug free; 8) professional support and programming; and 9) learning to identify and express oneself. Seventy-eight incidents formed four categories representing obstacles that interfere with maintaining a crime free life: 1) self; 2) unhealthy relationships; 3) substance use; and 4) lack of opportunity and professional support. The findings were compared and contrasted to two major theories in the literature: desistance and the risk-needs-responsivity principle. Most of the categories were well substantiated in the literature contributing knowledge to theory, policy, practice, and the community. Information obtained from this study provides an increased understanding of the needs of Aboriginal offenders and offers guidance concerning useful strategies to incorporate into their wellness plans when entering the community, most notably respecting Aboriginal culture and traditional practices. The findings also add awareness of those circumstances, issues, and problems that arise during transition that may be harmful or create obstacles to a successful transition. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

The public acts of violence during the summer of 2012 in Toronto brought the theme of gangs back to the forefront in Canadian media coverage. As renewed debates argued old subject matters, our understanding of gangs was not able to diverge from its endless roundabout. This paper inverts the study of gangs that has classically looked towards the gang as a collective to explain its sub-cultural delinquent and sometimes violent tendencies, and explores the individualized interpretation of gang membership from the perspective of four Latin-Canadian males from the Greater Toronto Area. This study takes on the challenge of observing the trajectory of gang membership based on the first hand experiences of self-proclaimed ex-gang members and through an in-depth dialogue with these participants, ventures through the turning points that led these individual actors through the process of onset; commitment and desistance. This exploration into the lived experiences of gang membership is seen through a Symbolic Interactionist lens and views gang membership as one of many identities that can actively be portrayed by the social being. In this perspective, the concepts of gangs and gang membership are described as a subjective experience completely open to interpretation, but guided by the flow of unique interactions that these individuals encountered within a variety of complex situations and environments. That which is being observed herein is the process of how the participants interacted with their existing environments and the circumstances produced by them, highlighting the momentous events that continuously defined the individuals understanding of their own self concept as a gang member up until the point of non-membership. What was observed by a dissection of the interviewee’s accounts was that the onset of gang membership was influenced primarily by a feeling of disassociation and alienation which the participants actively sought to suppress, whereby the idea of belonging to a gang offered the remedy. The aspect of commitment was shown to be focused more towards upholding the identity of gang membership and their reputation than towards the gang itself. Reinforcing the identity maintained the individual’s social status and relevance amongst their peers, solidifying the aspired identity of gang membership. Finally, the process of desistance surfaced once the gang member identity no longer seemed beneficial. Life threats, a re-emergence of the feeling of solidarity, the experience of disloyalty and the acceptance of another identity as being more imperative were factors that separately influenced the move for the discontinuance for the projection of the gang member identity. Although the participants admit to and self proclaim ex-membership, they do nonetheless acknowledge that the gang mask could once again be put back on.

This thesis analyses findings from a predominantly qualitative study of young (aged 18 to 24) imprisoned fathers interviewed in prison shortly before release, some of whom were also followed into the community. The research focused on the experiences of these men in prison, and how being a young father in prison affected their attitudes to offending, fatherhood and the future. Furthermore, this work investigated how these men then reintegrated back into the community and whether they managed to fulfil their hopes for change, focussing on what factors helped or hindered this process. This research applies desistance theory and identity theory to the lived experience of young imprisoned fathers; a group that has been largely ignored in previous research. The work is informed by both social-psychological (Maruna, 2001; Farrall, 2002; Meek, 2007a) and sociological perspectives (Laub and Sampson, 2003). This thesis adds to knowledge about the process of change for young offending fathers, highlighting it to be a gradual and active process that draws on both internal and external influences. Change is a complex activity, especially for men with transient relationships and lifestyles, which relies on the fragile coincidence of many inter-connected factors. Due to the instability of many of these factors, it is a process characterised by successes and failures. This thesis argues that criminal justice policies need to support fatherhood to take full advantage of fatherhood’s desistance-potential. The findings provide evidence to support Maruna et al’s (2004a) description of a three track process of change, requiring self-determination, formal support and informal support. They also suggest the need for the additional important factors of identity transformation (Maruna, 2001; Paternoster and Bushway, 2009) in positive social and personal contexts (Farrall, 2002; Walker, 2010). Fatherhood adds an additional layer to these factors. This thesis also contributes to knowledge of how agency and structural factors interact.

Den här uppsatsen har haft som syfte att undersöka hur processen till desistance ser ut för kvinnor som haft en kriminell livsstil. Vidare har syftet varit att bidra med ökad förståelse kring faktorer och vändpunkter kring kvinnors desistance som har varit av relevans.Både desistance som process och kvinnor som begår brott har varit kunskapsluckor inom forskningen idag. Därmed är det relevant att studera kvinnors väg ut ur den kriminella livsstilen, både utifrån kunskapsluckor och preventiva syften. I den här uppsatsen har 6 semistrukturerade intervjuer utförts. Resultatet av studien visade att vägen till desistance bland kvinnor kan se olika ut från person till person och präglas av flera faktorer eller vändpunkter. Dock har likheter och gemensamma aspekter i processerna hittats. Resultatet av studien visade på att det kan finnas flera faktorer eller vändpunkter som inträffar samtidigt eller i nära anslutning under processens gång. Resultatet visade även på att kvinnornas process till desistance kan bestå av zick-zackmönster där processen till avslut inte är helt rak utan kan innefatta perioder av brottslighet och icke-brottslighet. Faktorer och vändpunkter som visade sig vara en central del i processen var sociala band, att bli mamma, påföljder, fri från missbruk, insikt i livsstil och kärleksrelationer. Dock visade resultatet på olika effekter av vändpunkterna och faktorerna, att vara mamma och fängelsestraffet kunde både upplevas som effektgivande till processen till desistance men för vissa gav det ingen effekt till avslut. / The aim of this study has been to examine the process to desistance for women who has had a criminal lifestyle. The aim has also been to contribute with an increased understanding of factors and turning points around women’s desistance.Both desistance as a process and women who commit crimes have been knowledge gaps within the field of research today. It is therefore relevant to study the way out of criminal lifestyle for women both from the knowledge gap and for prevention reasons.This study is based on 6 semi-structured interviews. The results show that the way to desistance among women can be different from one person to another and be characterized by many factors or turning points. However, common aspects and similarities have been found in the processes. The results also showed that there could be more than one factor or turning point that occur at the same time or within close connection throughout the course of the process. The result also showed that the process to desistance for the women can contain zig-zag patterns where the process to desistance is not simple and can include both periods of crime and periods without any involvement in crime.The factors and turning points that were central in the process were social bonds, to become a mother, sanctions, free from addiction, insight in the lifestyle and love relationships. However, the result also showed some different effects from the turning points and factors, where becoming a mother and imprisonment could both be experienced as effectgiving to the process to desistance but also for some women not contribute to the desistance and have no effect.

Most sex offenders appear to desist from sexual and other violent offending; however, research on this population has historically focused more on the characteristics of individuals who persist offending versus those who desist from offending. The present study examined change patterns of 563 child sexual abusers’ scores on the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale, a dynamic risk measure, at three points of time over 2 years. Individuals who did versus did not commit a new serious offense, defined as a new sexual or other violent offense, at 5-year follow-up were contrasted. Desisters demonstrated most changes during their first year in treatment, whereas change among persisters more often occurred during their second year in treatment. All classes of offenders made gains in addressing dynamic risk related to sexually specific needs, whereas desisters made significantly greater gains in social stability needs. Findings are discussed in light of treatment dose allocation and community reentry needs.

Ett växande intresse för uppkomsten av kriminalitet i samhället har i vissa fall bidragit till en negligering av före-detta kriminellas återanpassning i samhället. Studien fokuserar på individer som kallar sig för ex-kriminella där studiens syfte är att undersöka vilka faktorer som är viktiga för ex-kriminella att ta sig ur en kriminell livsstil. Studiens frågeställning lyder vilka faktorer har betydelse för övergången från kriminell till icke-kriminell? Studien är baserad på fem intervjuer utförda på män som är medlemmar i kamratföreningen KRIS (Kriminellas Revansch i Samhället). Alla deltagare oavsett tidigare brottslighet, lever just nu ett liv utan kriminalitet. I studien används en kvalitativ metod som utformats av en tvärsnittsdesign, som innefattar semi-strukturerade intervjuer.  Respondenternas berättelser analyserades samt diskuterades utifrån Sampson och Laub’s åldersgraderande teori, likaså utifrån tidigare forskning som behandlar ämnet. Studiens resultat visar att det är individuellt vad som anses vara en viktig faktor för att ta sig ur en kriminell livsstil. Det som har kunnat igenkännas under intervjuerna är att det oftast är en eller flera faktorer som samspelar med varandra för att bidra till ett avståndstagande i kriminalitet. Tre faktorer har identifierats som betydelsefulla för att lämna en kriminell livsstil bakom sig; egen vilja, relationer samt stöd från samhället. Dessa behandlar centrala delar såsom motivation, relationer till familj, vänner och partner samt betydelsen av behandling, studier samt identitetsförändring. De centrala delarna utformades på grund av att dessa har genomgående i studien visat sig vara de mest ackurata för intervjudeltagarna. En försvagad anknytning till någon av dessa faktorer har visat sig öka risken för att individen återfaller i kriminalitet. Tidigare forskning samt åldersgraderande teorin stöds genomgående i studien då de vändpunkter som ansetts betydelsefulla för ex-kriminella att ta sig ur brottsligheten är de som varit av betydelse för deltagarna i studien. / A growing interest for the occurrence of criminality in society has in some cases contributed to a neglection of former-criminal’s reintegration in the society. The study focuses on individuals that call themselves ex-criminals where the purpose of the study is to investigate which factors that are of an importance meaning for ex-criminals to get out of a criminal lifestyle. The question formulation of the study is which factors have a meaning for the transformation from a criminal to an ex-criminal? The study is based on five interviews performed on men who are members of the Swedish association KRIS (Criminals Return Into Society). All participant’s regardless previous delinquency, are living currently a life without criminality. The study uses qualitative method that is shaped by a cross-section design, that comprises semi-structured interviews. The respondent’s stories were analysed and discussed from Sampson and Laub’s age-graded theory, as well as previous research dealing with the topic. The result of the study shows that it is individually to what is considered as an important factor to leave a criminal lifestyle. What has been recognized during the interviews is that there are usually one or more factors that interact with each other to contribute to a desistance in crime. Three factors have been identified as important to leave a criminal lifestyle behind; self-will, relations and community support. These address central parts as motivation, relationship to family, friends and partner but also the meaning of treatment, studies and identity change. These central sections were formulated because they throughout the study proved to be the most accurate for the interview participants. A weakened association to any of these factors has shown to increase the risk for the individual to relapse into criminality. Previous research as well as the age-graded theory are supported throughout the study because the turning points that are considered important for ex-criminals to get out of crime are those that have been of significance to the study participants.

Brottslighet är ett ständigt eskalerande samhällsproblem vilket leder till både ekonomisk såväl som psykisk samt fysisk skada för befolkningen i samhället. “Att lägga sin kriminella karriär på hyllan” är en studie som genom kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer ämnar undersöka varför aktuella informanter valt att avsluta sina kriminella karriärer. Vad låg bakom deras beslut att istället välja en prosocial/icke-kriminell väg och vilka var de bakomliggande orsakerna till deras beslut att avsluta den kriminella karriären? Studien bidrar till att bredda kunskapsläget kring kriminella karriärers avslut, något som är av stor vikt att undersöka vidare eftersom tidigare forskning på området främst är inriktat på övriga delar av kriminella karriärer än just dess avslut. Analysen av resultatet utmynnade i fem teman vilka alla grundar sig i olika bakomliggande orsaker till avslutet av den kriminella karriären och som var återkommande i intervjuerna med informanterna. Dessa var följande: “alkohol, narkotika och ohälsa” där finansieringen av narkotikamissbruket menades vara den främsta bakomliggande orsaken till att den kriminella karriären fortgått varav att upphöra med missbruk i sin tur blev en vändpunkt eller process för att upphöra även med kriminalitet; “sociala band” vilket innefattade anknytningen till familj samt prosociala vänner; “sysselsättning” innebärande vikten av att hitta ett arbete eller en hobby; “stöd från samhället” genom olika behandlingsprogram och gemenskapen som föreningslivet skapade; “straffhot” innefattande främst fängelsestraff. Resultatet i denna studie ämnas bidra till att fler lämpliga verktyg kan upprättas i syfte att minska de negativa konsekvenser som individers kriminella karriärer orsakar i samhället. / Crime is an ever-escalating societal problem, a problem which induces both economic as well as mental and physical damage to the population of our society. “To lay one's criminal career on the shelf” is a study, which through qualitative semi-structured interviews, intends to investigate why the informants have chosen to end their criminal careers. What instigated their decision to choose a prosocial/non-criminal path and which were the turning points that influenced their decision to end the criminal career? This study contributes to broadening the state of knowledge about the end of criminal careers, something that is of great importance to investigate further as earlier research in the field has mainly focused on other parts of criminal careers. Through our analysis of our results, we identified five themes that were recurring in the informants' interviews: The crime's link to addiction and poor health where funding for drug abuse was thought to be the main reason why the criminal career continued and terminating the addiction in turn became a turning point for ending crime; social bonds including the connection to family and prosocial friends; employment emphasizing the importance of finding a job or a hobby; support from society through various treatment programs and the community created by the association; threat of punishment mainly including imprisonment. The result of this study aims to contribute to the establishment of more suitable tools to mitigate the negative consequences for society which criminal careers of individuals cause.

The current study extended earlier findings about the RealVictory program by using a larger sample and by examining Victory Seeker phone use in more detail. Using a sample of 144 juveniles, it was found that as the number of calls answered increased, the likelihood of a rearrest and the number of rearrests decreased slightly but the differences were not statistically significant. However, as the number of calls increased, the likelihood of a felony rearrest decreased significantly and the total number of felony arrests decreased significantly. These findings suggest that Victory Seeker may be a useful tool to reinforce and provide follow-up after treatment.

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