A multi-cultural comparative study into the influence national level variations have on desistance from crime

The study of desistance – researching how and why people refrain from criminal behaviour – has gained increasing attention from both academics and policymakers in recent years in many countries throughout the world. Yet despite the growing strategic importance of more comprehensively understand the processes of desisting to reduce national reoffending rates, there remains a significant gap in empirical literature which comparatively explores the impact national-level practices and structural divergence has on desistance from crime. Therefore, this research project will examine key factors impacting individual’s desistance found in a variety of mono-cultural studies through a multi-cultural, comparative project of Scotland and Québec (a province of Canada). By doing so, this project will explore how national level characteristics and processes, societal institutins, cultural and religious beliefs and economic systems shape processes of desistance from crime. This will enable a more informed understanding of what national level variations support and inhibit individual’s ability to not refrain from future offending behaviour.

Faculty Supervisor:

Isabelle F.-Dufour

Student:

Partner:

University of Stirling

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public Service, Policy, and Governance; Education; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Université Laval

Program: