Author
Nicholas J. Richardson
Bio: Nicholas J. Richardson is an academic researcher from North Carolina State University. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 76 citations.
Papers
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TL;DR: This paper emphasized the importance of the transformation narrative, in which the individual has replaced his old, criminal self with a new, law-abiding self Key elements of the trans desistance narrative.
Abstract: Research on desistance emphasizes the importance of the transformation narrative, in which the individual has replaced his old, criminal self with a new, law-abiding self Key elements of the trans
90 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined whether, how, and why the staff members of prisoner reentry programs differ from the clients, and found that the former prisoners are more likely to desist from a deviant career by replacing it with an occupation as a paraprofessional, lay therapist, or counselor.
Abstract: Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of the staff members working for prisoner reentry programs are formerly incarcerated persons. Moreover, criminologists have written that the strengths-based role of the “wounded healer” or “professional ex-” is exemplified by released prisoners who desist from a deviant career by replacing it with an occupation as a paraprofessional, lay therapist, or counselor. Despite these observations, there is a paucity of research about formerly incarcerated persons employed by agencies that provide reentry-related programming. This study begins to fill this gap by examining whether, how, and why the staff members of prisoner reentry programs differ from the clients. Characteristics of formerly incarcerated persons thought to be related to desistance and reconciling a criminal past such as overcoming stigma, prosocial attitudes and beliefs, active coping strategies, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life are examined. Findings support the notion that the wounded he...
125 citations
TL;DR: A review of key twenty-first-century theoretical and methodological developments on desistance as well as a pointed discussion of critical issues can be found in this paper, where the authors use an organizational schema situating theories in terms of the primacy with which they place structural opportunities or subjective motivations.
Abstract: After decades of relative obscurity, research on desistance from offending has experienced an exponential, and much warranted, escalation in attention. This precipitous growth is motivated by the timely alignment of theory, data, and method that characterized the opening of the twenty-first century. Despite the growth of the field, fundamental questions remain. This chapter provides a focused review of key twenty-first-century theoretical and methodological developments on desistance as well as a pointed discussion of critical issues. After outlining the current definitions and longitudinal trends of desistance, we discuss contemporary theories and the studies that inform these theories. We use an organizational schema situating theories in terms of the primacy with which they place structural opportunities or subjective motivations in their explanations of the transition away from offending. We conclude by presenting avenues for advancing research in the areas of definitions, theoretical testing, and bri...
92 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth during imprisonment and argued that the initial shock of incarceration challenged these prisoners' assumptive worlds, but they managed to overcome this crisis by finding meaning in the prison experience and using it as an opportunity for personal development.
Abstract: The literature on prison effects is characterised by a focus on negative outcomes. There is a need to acknowledge individual differences. The theme of posttraumatic growth emerged in a subsample of interviews from a study on psychological adjustment in prison. The narratives of this subsample (six female, first-time prisoners) were used to explore the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth during imprisonment. It is argued that the initial shock of incarceration challenged these prisoners’ assumptive worlds, but they managed to overcome this crisis by finding meaning in the prison experience and using it as an opportunity for personal development. This facilitated a positive reconstruction of their identity. The potential implications of posttraumatic growth for desistance are discussed.
45 citations
TL;DR: This article explored the relevance to criminology of the concepts of recognition and redistribution in promoting desistance among young people in transition and concluded that desistance requires the restructuring of wider economic and social policy to ensure social justice for marginalised young people.
Abstract: Theories of desistance increasingly acknowledge the need to engage with political and economic discourses beyond the criminal justice system. This article turns to the critical theory of Axel Honneth, Nancy Fraser and others to explore the relevance to criminology of the concepts of recognition and redistribution. Interview data from a Scottish study of youth offending and desistance illustrate the potential of these ideas in promoting desistance among young people in transition. The article concludes that desistance requires the restructuring of wider economic and social policy to ensure social justice for marginalised young people.
41 citations
TL;DR: The literature on desistance from crime has become well established in recent years with strong bodies of evidence supporting the role of factors such as employment, relationships and identity chan... as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The literature on desistance from crime has become well established in recent years with strong bodies of evidence supporting the role of factors such as employment, relationships and identity chan...
39 citations