On the Road to Desistance? Formerly Incarcerated Person's (Dis)identification as a "Typical Former Prisoner"

• In Event: Understanding the Desistance Process

Abstract

Tajfel (1981) argues that minority groups are not necessarily based on the sheer number of individuals in the group, rather it is their societal status that determines their minority standing. Individuals who do not wish to retain lower standing often attempt to assimilate to the majority group by defining themselves as separate from the minority group (Tajfel, 1981). In many ways, former prisoners make up their own minority group and are subject to this conflict. Maruna (2001) found evidence of these attempts to assimilate in his condemnation and redemption scripts. Desisters attempt to redefine their self-image as a way of differentiating themselves from the typical former prisoner. This paper examines approximately 225 formerly incarcerated persons’ view of themselves as a “typical former prisoner” using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” The relationship between thinking of oneself as a typical former prisoner and a variety of variables thought to be related to desistance from crime (e.g., age, criminal attitudes, social bonds, perceptions of stigma, coping strategies, psychological well-being, and forecasts of rearrest) will be examined using correlation analysis and regression analysis. Implications of the findings for desistance theory and prisoner reintegration will be discussed.

Authors

• Matt Richie, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

• Thomas P. LeBel, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee