Against All Odds

Abstract

Despite extensive humanitarian and societal economic costs due to criminality, few studies have been published on desistance from crime. The purpose of this study was to describe the desistance and identify possible protective factors among high-risk violent and chronic offenders who had not recidivated. From a cohort of 401 violent criminal offenders, only 6 participants were found to meet the authors' criteria for high risk and to exhibit unexpected positive outcomes; 4 of these consented to participate in the study. They were assessed with semistructured interviews. Common themes important to desistance from crime were identified. An experience of shock may in some cases have triggered the desistance process. Circumstances that seemed crucial were social isolation, orientation toward family, and physical disabilities. The participants' present lives were extremely influenced by avoiding risk situations. The results may contribute to the understanding of the desistance process and to developing after-care and risk management strategies.