“Recovery Came First”: Desistance versus Recovery in the Criminal Careers of Drug-Using Offenders

Abstract

The aim of our paper is to gain insight in the desistance process of drug-using offenders. We explore the components of change in the desistance process of drug-using offenders by using the cognitive transformation theory of Giordano et al. as a theoretical framework. The desistance process of drug-using offenders entails a two-fold process: desistance of criminal offending and recovery. The results however indicate that desistance is subordinate to recovery because of the fact that drug-using offenders especially see themselves as drug users and not as “criminals.” Their first goal was to start recovery from drug use. They were convinced that recovery from drug use would lead them to a stop in their offending. In the discussion, we explore the implications of this result for further research.

Dilemmas in applying strengths-based approaches in working with offenders with mental illness: A critical multidisciplinary review

“…More specifically, desistance research among persons who commit offences as an immediate consequence of their mental disorder is lacking (Göbbels, Thakker & Ward, 2016). A possible reason might relate to the fact that research on and interventions for offenders with mental illness are rooted in mental health care; while desistance originated from the criminal career tradition and is predominantly criminological (Colman and Vander Laenen 2012 Although his article was not focusing on offenders with mental illness, it does make clear that desistance adds two important elements to the discussion on treatment interventions.…”

“…no/less illegal drug use, no criminal offences, employment) and less on client-reported outcomes and starting from clients' own expectations and experiences (e.g. quality of life) (De Maeyer, Vanderplasschen & Broekaert, 2009;Colman & Vander Laenen, 2012).…”

“…There has been a growing interest in describing and understanding desistance in specific types of offenders, such as drug-dependent offenders and sex offenders (Colman and Vander Laenen 2012;Harris 2014;Göbbels, Ward and Willis 2012;Laws and Ward 2015). However, the existing knowledge on some subgroups of offenders is still scant, in particular regarding offenders with mental illness.…”

“…It is not because a person wants to change and to desist that he or she will succeed. Structural constraints and barriers, for instance stigma or the lack of job opportunities for former prisoners/people with a mental illness, play a significant role and need to be tackled as well (Colman & Vander Laenen, 2012).…”

Using the “recovery” and “rehabilitation” paradigms to support desistance of substance-involved offenders: exploration of dual and multi-focus interventions

“…Within the research literature, the process of desistance has been conceptualised as involving a complex interplay of social/environmental factors, such as life course changes associated with employment or relationship status (Sampson & Laub, 2003), in addition to more subjective/agency factors, such as shifts in identity or attitudes (Colman & Vander Laenen, 2012;LeBel et al, 2008;Maruna & LeBel, 2010). Fundamental cognitive changes around such things as the desirability of offending behaviour, openness to change and motivation, have been suggested as being central to the desistance process (Giordano et al, 2002).…”