Читать книгу Social Work with Sex Offenders - Cowburn Malcolm - Страница 34

Much psychological research explores those issues that may prompt sex offenders to reoffend. An alternative way of looking at things is to consider what helps sex offenders to avoid reoffending – what helps them to ‘desist’ from offending. Willis, Levenson and Ward (2010, p 545, emphasis in original) note: ‘The process of ceasing sexual and general offending and becoming a productive member of society is called desistance’. In recent years, there has developed a considerable body of criminological research in relation to general desistance from crime. The available research indicates that if sex offenders released from prison are provided with the resources to access stable housing, establish pro-social support networks and create intimate relationships, and are presented with opportunities for employment, then they are less likely to reoffend (Willis et al, 2010, p 545). However, Farrall (1995, p 56) notes ‘that very few people actually desist as a result of intervention on the part of the criminal justice system or its representatives’. Ward and Maruna (2007, p 14) comment that it ‘makes considerable sense to develop models of rehabilitation on the basis of what is known about how reintegration works in the “natural” environment outside of the criminal justice system’. Research clearly indicates that desistance is not an introverted psychological process, but a social activity; again, Willis et al (2010, p 548) locate the importance of social and psychological strengths in achieving aspirations: ‘All human beings require help from other people to acquire and utilize the psychological capabilities and social resources necessary to realize their aspirations whether this involves completing job training, participating in social activities, or remaining crime free’.

McNeill (2012) identifies three separate perspectives on desistance that are increasingly becoming integrated in desistance theory: (1) the significance of age and maturation; (2) life transitions and social bonds; and (3) personal and social identity. Key for the sex offender in making this transition away from offending is community support because, as Willis et al (2010, p 548) note, the move from a treatment environment into the community is difficult. Desistance-based research has informed the development of the Good Lives Model of rehabilitation that is discussed elsewhere in this book (see Chapter Six).