Goals for Desistance: Future versus Reality Among a Group of Men with Sex Offense Convictions

• In Event: “Navigating Reentry in a Life Course Framework”

Abstract

Setting goals for the future is a common rehabilitative practice in community corrections. Goal setting reflects the forward-looking nature of the desistance process (Maruna, 2001; Lebel et al. 2004) with the goal of reform (Taxman, 2006). While goal setting is a key feature of evidence-based practice in both treatment and community supervision, the goal setting processes of probationers and parolees and whether or not they achieve those goals has not been examined. The goals of individuals supervised for sexual offenses may be particularly important to understand as reintegration models, such as the Good Lives Model (Ward & Gannon, 2006; Wilson & Yates, 2009), purport achievement of life goals as key to success. The current research considers the relationship between stated goals upon release from prison and subsequent achievement of those goals among a group of men convicted of sexual offenses. Findings consider the relationship of goals to reality of participants’ post-conviction lives, and what is related to the achievement of or failure to achieve both life and treatment goals. Theoretical expansion of how goals relate to the desistance process is presented.

Authors

• Kimberly Kras, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Breanne Pleggenkuhle, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

• Beth Huebner, University of Missouri -St. Louis