Technology’s Impact on Desistance: Enabling Positive Change

In the evolving landscape of criminology, the concept of desistance—the process by which individuals cease and abstain from criminal behavior—is gaining prominence. Public safety organizations are shifting from a predominant focus on factors that increase risk to a focus on factors that also reduce risk. This shift recognizes the complexities of behavior and offers a more holistic approach to crime cessation. By exploring factors such as maturity, identity change, and social bonds, desistance provides a comprehensive framework for understanding why individuals abandon criminal behavior. This blog will delve into the intricacies of desistance, its potential to reshape our understanding of crime and justice, and the potential that technology holds in supporting desistence.

Desistance and the age-crime curve

Most individuals who commit crimes eventually cease, and in most cases, criminal activity peaks in a person’s teenage years and dwindles as they age¹. This phenomenon is known as the age-crime curve. Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology and Social Work at the University of Glasgow, believes that desistance research can lead to a greater understanding of the age-crime curve¹. He asserts that despite the extensive evidence explaining why individuals engage in criminal activities, investing in additional research on desistence is valuable. This would enhance our understanding of the reasons behind the cessation of criminal behavior.

If individuals are less likely to commit crimes as they age, understanding why this is the case can help us move away from the stigma that justice-involved individuals are “irredeemable.” Understanding and acknowledging desistance allows us to shed labels like “criminal” or “convict” and paves the way for a more fluid and realistic picture of the human condition, one that allows for the possibility of growth and change.

Unraveling the social threads of desistance

Desisting from crime is not a straightforward process, but according to Dr. Cara Jardine, Senior Lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, strong family ties or strong social support systems can increase the chances of success³. A strong social support system is critical to success because of the additional resources social ties can provide, from advice on problems faced, to financial support, living accommodations, and so on. Perhaps most critically, having strong ties to family, friends, and colleagues often engenders a sense of obligation and reciprocal trust².

Families have the potential to aid justice-involved individuals in circumstances where they otherwise might find it difficult to be successful, such as finding housing or obtaining a new job through a connection. Beyond this type of support, having strong social ties can discourage criminal behavior because people are less likely to re-offend when there is a possibility of jeopardizing positive relationships³. The stronger these ties are, the more likely desistance will be achieved. Becoming a parent is one example, which often means more time spent at home with children, a mantle of responsibility, and the desire to be a role model, decreasing the appeal of criminal behavior. Another example is being part of a team at work, where a person may feel obligated to contribute to maintaining a positive relationship with their colleagues and management.

Some also argue that part of what makes justice-involved individuals likely to re-offend is the stigma attached to being labeled or viewed simply as an “ex-convict”⁴. The stereotype and idea that former justice-involved individuals are somehow intrinsically “tainted” or “dangerous” fails to allow room for growth, and it is theorized that this stigma is part of what causes them to re-offend⁴. When provided with chances to rectify past mistakes and positively impact their communities, individuals can shed their stigmatized identities and embrace new ones through visible, voluntary community service or more private contributions to family life.

The digital bridge: Aiding desistance with technology

Integrating technology into correctional facilities has the potential to aid desistance by providing individualized support. Digital tools enable tailored rehabilitation programs, addressing each justice-involved individual’s unique needs and promoting personal growth. These tools also offer real-time progress tracking and feedback, ensuring individuals remain on track with their desistance goals.

Additionally, technology facilitates skill development through digital learning platforms, which offer educational and vocational training necessary for successful reintegration. Enhanced communication tools help maintain connections with support networks, crucial for fostering positive relationships. Moreover, digital systems can recognize and reward progress, motivating individuals to maintain positive behaviors. Access to resources is also streamlined, connecting justice-involved individuals with community resources, job opportunities, and support services during and after incarceration. Building the skills and support systems required to support desistance does not begin as soon as the justice-involved individual is released from a correctional facility. Rather, it must begin within the correctional facility itself.

New technologies, such as MHS’ Core Pathway, allow justice-involved individuals to develop the competencies to rehabilitate successfully through opportunities that increase practical skills and further their education. The solution is also designed to cater to individual needs to promote personal growth. Most importantly, the Core Pathway solution offers opportunities for justice-involved individuals to have continuous and regular contact with their support network, legal representatives, health professionals, peer mentors, etc., obtain education and skills, and enhance their organizational abilities.

Core Pathway encourages autonomy by offering meaningful choices and opportunities for personal growth. Its user-centric design fosters engagement and supports a collaborative approach to positive change, potentially aiding in reducing recidivism and successful reintegration into the community. Further, the solution supports the development of trusting relationships within the correctional environment by enabling client engagement and collaboration. It provides tools that help justice-involved individuals and staff work together towards better outcomes, promoting a culture of mutual respect and support.

A pathway to successful reintegration

Building desistance from crime inside correctional facilities is crucial for laying the foundation for successful reintegration. However, continuous support systems and interventions must extend beyond correctional facilities. This can be implemented through probation technology. This seamless transition may help to maintain the progress made during incarceration, potentially reducing recidivism, and promoting a stable, crime-free life post-release. These digital tools facilitate personalized rehabilitation plans and effective communication between probation officers and individuals on probation. By providing real-time feedback and resources, probation technology helps individuals stay on track, address personal challenges, and build a supportive network. This fosters accountability, supports positive behavior changes, and reduces the likelihood of reoffending, contributing to a safer and more rehabilitative re-entry process into society.

Tracking progress is also essential in this process. Probation technology can monitor an individual’s milestones and setbacks, providing real-time data to probation officers and support networks, enabling personalized interventions and timely support, and ensuring individuals stay on the path to desistance. The ability to track progress fosters accountability and empowers justice-involved individuals to see their growth, reinforcing their commitment to desistance from crime.

Desistance represents a crucial paradigm shift in criminology, emphasizing the importance of understanding and fostering the natural process by which individuals disengage from criminal activities. This shift from focusing mostly on what causes people to offend to also focusing on what encourages people to desist acknowledges the complexities of human behavior and the potential for personal growth and change. We can create a more holistic and effective approach to crime prevention and rehabilitation by leveraging social bonds, community support, and technological advancements. Embracing desistance not only aids in the successful reintegration of justice-involved individuals but also contributes to society’s overall safety and well-being.

Want to learn more about MHS’ Core Pathway Solution? Get in touch with a member of our team.

References

¹ McNeill, F., Farrall, S., Lightowler, C., & Maruna, S. (2012, April 4). How and why people stop offending: Discovering desistance. Iriss.

² Farrall, S. (2004) ‘Social Capital and Offender Re-integration: Making Probation Desistance Focused’, in S. Maruna and R. Immarigeon (eds.). After Crime and Punishment: Pathways to Offender Reintegration (pp. 57–84). Willan.

³ Jardine, C. (2014). The role of family ties in desistance from crime (In Brief No. 9). Families Outside.

⁴ Maruna, S. & LeBel, T.P. (2003). Welcome Home? Examining the “Reentry Court” Concept from a Strengths-based Perspective. Western Criminology Review, 4(2), 91-107.