Comparing Prison Release and Desistance

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This session considers comparative studies of desistance from crime and release from prison. It draws upon one on-going study of release from prison during the COVID era and its impact on desistance from crime. The study was undertaken in three countries (Canada, England and Finland), and was funded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The session will review what is known about desistance comparatively, will report on the main findings from the fieldwork, and will report on the ways in which digital inclusion aided desistance from crime. A third paper will discuss the application of an assisted desistance framework within an Australian custodial setting. It examines the rationale for focusing on particular dimensions of assisted desistance and briefly highlights how correctional staff as well as incarcerated individuals can benefit from such an approach.

Sub Unit

• Area IX. Comparative & Historical Perspectives: / 65. Cross-National Comparison of Crime & Justice

Individual Presentations

• What We Know About Comparative Studies of Desistance? - Stephen Daniel Farrall, University of Nottingham

• How Did Three Jurisdictions Respond to COVID? How Did This Aid Re-entry and Desistance? - Ailie Rennie, University of Nottingham; Isabelle F-DuFour, Université Laval; Eeva Järveläinen, Laurea Universities of Applied Sciences; Stephen Daniel Farrall, University of Nottingham

• Assisted Desistance in Practice - Mark Halsey, University of Flinders