Well-kent Faces’

Policing Persistent Offenders and the Possibilities for Desistance

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8400940
AutoresMarguerite Schinkel (0000-0001-5804-5701, University of the West of Scotland, autor de correspondencia), Colin Atkinson (0000-0001-8275-7477, University of the West of Scotland), Sarah Anderson (0000-0002-8581-1544, University of the West of Scotland)
Año2019
Volumen59
Número3
Páginas634-652
Fecha de publicación2019-04-09
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaThe British Journal of Criminology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0007-0955 • E-ISSN: 1464-3529
EditorialOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/bjc/azy050
OpenAlexW2898902233
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas7
Referencias citadas49

This article focuses on the policing of adult persistent offenders and its implications for desistance. It integrates the findings from two qualitative studies undertaken in Scotland on the experiences of those considered 'persistent offenders' and the police. The article's contribution lies in its close analysis of how adult persistent offenders and the police interact, examining factors before, during and after their encounter. We show that the police's enforcement focus is a significant obstacle to desistance, especially as enacted through intelligence-led policing and the lack of positive discretion towards 'well-kent faces'. However, we also note that frustration with this approach is emerging within Scottish policing and argue for a relatively modest re-orientation of police practice towards a recognition of signals of desistance.

Criminology · Forensic engineering · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Engineering · Policing Practices and Perceptions · Psychology