Understanding Recidivism and Desistance over the Life Course

• In Event: Policy Panel: Bridging Science and Policy: Desistance Research and Offender Re-Entry Policy

Abstract

Historically, most studies of criminal behavior have focused on factors assumed to cause (or facilitate) criminal behavior such as drug use. For example, since most offenders use drugs, the assumption is that reducing drug use will reduce criminal offending. Implicit is an assumption of symmetry in the factors that influence the value of the left-hand-side indicator in the traditional models—e.g., 1 indicating recidivism (however measured) and 0 indicating no recidivism. A positive coefficient for a drug use indicator suggests that drug use is positively correlated with continuing criminal behavior. But does this also mean that a reduction in drug use will necessarily mean an increase in desistance? Some findings from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative multisite evaluation lend support for findings from emerging qualitative research and theoretical work by, e.g., Paternoster and Bushway, suggesting desistance may be more than the absence of recidivism—or at least motivated by different factors. To what extent does “identity” play a critical component in desistance, recidivism, or both? Is identity transformation necessary for desistance? Identifying the constructs to inform our understanding of desistance is a necessary first step in identifying appropriate measures that will predict desistance.

Author

• Pamela K. Lattimore, RTI International