Forgiveness and Accountability: The Intricate Association Linked to Desistance and Reintegration

• In Event: Poster Session 1

Abstract

Forgiveness is not to excuse, reconcile, or ignore justice (Park et al., 2013). Following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, approximately one million civilians were killed within 100 days (Straus, 2008). A year following the establishment of Gacaca –truth, justice, and reconciliation courts, over 120,000 individuals were incarcerated for their racialized violent crimes (Newbury, 1995). Through a comprehensive review of empirical evidence, the study elucidates the complex dynamics in the relationship between forgiveness, accountability, reintegration, and desistance by exploring the intricate association between multiple variables from a sample of more than 300 prisoners in Rwanda (Barnes-Ceeney et al., 2019). It supports the importance of forgiveness as a moderator for desistance and successful reintegration into society. The regression analysis suggests significant associations between multiple variables, highlighting the role of forgiveness in predicting post-release goals for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the diverse mechanisms underlying desistance and reintegration by highlighting the interplay of forgiveness and accountability in interventions promoting reducing recidivism. The implications of the findings for theory, practice, and policy are discussed, highlighting the importance of fostering forgiveness as a vital component of an intervention promoting desistance.

Authors

• Haneen J. Alani, University of New Haven

• Kevin Barnes Ceeney, University of New Haven