Women and Crime: What do we know about Desistance

• In Event: Women and Desistance from Crime

Abstract

Women and men still return to prisons at high rates. Much of the research on reentry has focused on the efficacy of programs in reducing recidivism. Little is known about identity and relationship changes in contributing to desistance. Even less is know about this process with regards to women offenders. In this article, we provide a brief overview of desistance research, in general, followed by what we have learned from a small but growing body of literature that examines crime desistance for women. We close with a discussion about how this research illuminates three key points that can help guide future research and practice.

Authors

• Betsy Matthews, Eastern Kentucky University

• Dana Jones Hubbard, Cleveland State University