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Emotions, Future Selves and the Process of Desistance

Bibliographic Data

ID8402004
AuthorsBen Hunter (0000-0003-3563-9608, University of Greenwich, corresponding author), Stephen Farrall (0000-0001-9783-4447, University of Sheffield)
Year2018
Volume58
Issue2
Pages291-308
Publication date2018-02-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe British Journal of Criminology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-0955 • E-ISSN: 1464-3529
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/bjc/azx017
OpenAlexW2596796427
LanguageEN
Citations received26
References cited28

Desistance research emphasizes that offenders identify a future self that aids desistance efforts. However, it is unclear how future selves operate when offending opportunities arise. To explore this, we employ qualitative accounts of instances when offenders and ex-offenders abstained from offending, and the emotions this evoked. Offending was avoided to preserve aspects of offenders’ lives or avoid negative consequences but, for some, avoiding offending brought frustration. Finally, those who had made the most progress towards desistance were less likely to identify opportunities for offending. These findings suggest future selves inform the desistance process, highlighting particular ways to be. However, time is needed to build up valued aspects of the life that may be feared lost if engaging in crime. Before the benefits of abstaining are recognized, there may be a tension between the future and current self.

Criminology · Process (computing) · Computer Science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Psychology · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending · Social Psychology

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  • Formerly Detained Adolescents’ Narratives

    Open Access•Nele Van Hecke, Florien Meulewaeter et al.•International Journal of Offender…•2023

  • Work, Identity, and Desistance

    Open Access•Waqas Ahmed, Chengbin Liu et al.•Criminal Justice and Behavior•2026

  • Wasted Lives

    Open Access•H Avieli•Criminal Justice and Behavior•2020

  • Employment and Identity Development

    Waqas Ahmed, Chengbin Liu et al.•Monatsschrift für Kriminologie…•2025

  • Disincarcerating incarcerated emotions”

    Open Access•Aurélie Stoll•Criminology & Criminal Justice•2022

  • Keeping busy’ as agency in early desistance

    Open Access•Sarah E Goodwin•Criminology & Criminal Justice•2020

  • Facilitator-coordinators’ or ‘umbilical cords’

    Open Access•Sylvia Koffeld-Hamidane, Ellen Andvig et al.•Criminology & Criminal Justice•2023

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    Open Access•Haydn Morgan, Andrew Parker•Criminology & Criminal Justice•2024

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  • Who owns desistance? A triad of agency enabling social structures in the desistance process

    Open Access•Katherine Albertson, Jake Phillips et al.•Theoretical Criminology•2020

  • Rethinking recovery and desistance processes

    Christopher Kay, Mark Monaghan•Addiction Research & Theory•2018

  • The kindness of strangers

    Open Access•Thomas Ugelvik•Theoretical Criminology•2024

  • ‘Looking back, I don’t quite recognise myself’

    Open Access•T D Henriksen, Margaretha Järvinen•Sexualities•2025

  • Lost in Translation or a Work in Progress? Developing Desistance-Informed Youth Justice Practice in the Welsh Context

    Open Access•John Deering, Jonathan Evans•The British Journal of Social Work•2021

  • My shot caller was the one who snitched on me”

    Open Access•Sou Lee•Criminology•2025

  • The Transformative Power of Trust

    Open Access•Thomas Ugelvik•The British Journal of Criminology•2022

  • Becoming an Ex-Extremist

    Open Access•Matthew Demichele, P Simi et al.•The British Journal of Criminology•2025

  • Talking Good

    Open Access•John Todd-Kvam, Mari Todd-Kvam•The British Journal of Criminology•2022

  • Mobilizing Metaphors in Criminological Analysis

    Open Access•Kaitlyn Quinn, Gerald Buck et al.•The British Journal of Criminology•2024

  • Social Capital, Mutual Aid and Desistance

    Open Access•Katherine Albertson, Kevin Albertson•The British Journal of Criminology•2023

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    Isabelle F-Dufour, Stéphanie Chouinard-Thivierge et al.•International Journal of…•2025

  • Désistement assisté

    Open Access•Marie-Pierre Villeneuve, Marie-Pierre Villeneuve1 et al.•Criminologie•2020

  • Désistement assisté en contexte formel

    Open Access•Marie-Pierre Villeneuve, Marie-Pierre Villeneuve1 et al.•Criminologie•2020

  • Shame Management through Reintegration (Cambridge Criminology)

    Eliza Ahmed, John Braithwaite et al.•Shame Management through…•2001

  • After Crime and Punishment

    Larry A Grant, Larry Grant•International Journal of…•2022

  • A Life-Course View of the Development of Crime

    Robert J Sampson, John H Laub•Developmental and Life-Course…•2017

  • Criminal Careers in Transition

    Stephen Farrall, Ben Hunter et al.•Criminal Careers in Transition•2014

  • White-Collar Offenders and Desistance from Crime

    Ben Hunter•White-Collar Offenders and…•2015

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  • The `Chicken and Egg' of Subjective and Social Factors in Desistance from Crime

    Open Access•Thomas P Lebel, Ros Burnett et al.•European Journal of Criminology•2008

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    Kathryn Graham•The British Journal of Criminology•2003

  • Early desistance narratives

    Open Access•Sam King•Punishment & Society•2013

  • Reflections on social values, offending and desistance among young adult recidivists

    Open Access•Joanna Shapland, Anthony Bottoms•Punishment & Society•2011

  • Changing fate? Agency and the desistance process

    Open Access•Deirdre Healy•Theoretical Criminology•2013

  • The role of recognition in the desistance process

    Open Access•D Gadd•Theoretical Criminology•2006

  • On the emotions of crime, punishment and social control

    Open Access•Willem De Haan, Ian Loader•Theoretical Criminology•2002

  • Criminal Careers, Desistance and Subjectivity

    Open Access•D Gadd, Stephen Farrall•Theoretical Criminology•2004

  • A Life-Course View of the Development of Crime

    Open Access•Robert J Sampson, John H Laub•The Annals of the American…•2005

  • Becoming a Desister

    Deirdre Healy•The British Journal of Criminology•2014

  • The Internal Narrative of Desistance

    Brett Vaughan•The British Journal of Criminology•2006

  • On the Existential Aspects of Desistance from Crime

    Open Access•Stephen Farrall•Symbolic Interaction•2005

  • Emotions and Crime over the Life Course

    P C Giordano, Ryan D Schroeder et al.•American Journal of Sociology•2007

  • Gender, Crime, and Desistance

    P C Giordano, Stephen A Cernkovich et al.•American Journal of Sociology•2002

Unique citing works26
Citations per year3,25
Citation span2018 - 2026 (9)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 26
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