‘You’re never really free’: Understanding the barriers to desistance for registered sexual offenders in the community

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between the current model of community sex offender management, which is underpinned by mechanism of control and enforcement, and desistance from sexual offending. Utilizing data from qualitative interviews with 20 men convicted of sexual offences, we found that while existing practices offer some reassurance to those managing the public protection arena, they do little to encourage the substantive processes of identity change which is necessary for long-term desistance. This raises important considerations for how current risk management practices may be improved to encourage desistance and community reintegration.

Recidivism and violations among sexually violent persons on supervised release.

“…The first year in particular is very restrictive-clients are restricted to their residence unless they are under direct escort and only then for employment or volunteering, religious practice, education, treatment, exercise, supervision, residence maintenance, or basic living needs. Overly restrictive conditions create barriers to social connections and other factors that could facilitate desistance (Mann et al, 2021). Given the heightened stigma associated with a sexual offending history, clients face added barriers to reintegration that can complicate the establishment of meaningful social support (Kras, 2019).…”

“…SR has the potential to offer a transitional period to promote successful adaptation to independent community living. While a surveillance-based focus might effectively limit offense opportunities in the short-term, more supportive approaches could help to build more lasting prosocial identities and help keep individuals offense free after formal control measures are lifted (de Vries Robbé et al, 2015; Mann et al, 2021). Additionally, it is important to have a continuum of response options to violations (Wooditch et al, 2016).…”

Wasted Lives: Aging as an Incentive for Reconstruction of Desistance Intentions Among Older Adults in Prison

“…One of the most researched internal factors connected to desistance involves changes in the individual’s sense of self or identity (Mann et al, 2019). Studies have argued that the reason people stop offending— or, at least, decide to stop offending—is because they come to see themselves in a new light as individuals not involved in crime (Rocque, 2017).…”

Are sex offending allegations viewed differently? Exploring the effect of offense type and conviction status on criminal stigmatization

“…The levels of stigma directed towards those with criminal convictions is generally high but is intensified when the nature of an individual's criminal history is sexual (Ricciardelli & Moir, 2013). It is also perceived by those with sexual conviction that the stigma attached to their offending is harder to overcome in the long-term than the stigma surrounding those with other offense types (Mann et al, 2021). Ricciardelli & Moir (2013) attributed this distinction to people perceiving those with sexual convictions as being more socially deviant than other groups, having violated sacred values by preying on the innocent and weak.…”